Injuries confirmed at Big 4 ice caves collapse

The caves north of Seattle are a popular hiking destination in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

In this July 2010 photo, visitors examine the Big Four Ice Caves in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest near Granite Falls, Wash. She said recovery efforts have been suspended for the night. According to Gregg the 35-year-old woman’s condition was satisfactory and all of the persons who were injured were conscious, but one of the men (35) was in serious condition and the other man who was 25 years old was in critical condition. Their injuries included cuts and leg and pelvis fractures. It has been reported four people were inside and escaped without injury. The area has been closed indefinitely. The collapse occurred near the entrance, officials said. The remote site lacks cellphone service.

Not long ago, KIRO-7 was in the same area, relaying an urgent warning from the US Forest Service to stay out of the melting cracking ice caves, and yet, groups hiked in anyway. Temperatures in the area Monday reportedly were in the 80s. On Sunday a part of the caves tumbled down and it was filmed by a hiker.

The caves are formed by avalanches that cascade down from nearby Big Four Mountain during winter and spring.

Early in the video, one man can be seen looking up at the roof of the cave, around seven metres above, and it appears he hears the ice moving.

On Monday, local authorities, emergency crews and aid workers responded to a call for help at an ice cave complex near Granite Falls in Washington state.

Jakubowski said she and her friends drove 15 miles to use a pay phone at a campsite after the collapse.

Jakubowski told The Times she and a handful of others were in the cave.

“They’re essentially a frozen-over avalanche shoot sitting over a waterfall, sitting below a giant rock shoot”, Ireton said.