Collapse at Big Four Ice Caves Injures Four, Kills One Person

Collapse at Big Four Ice Caves Injures Four, Kills One Person

Big Four Ice Caves northeast of Seattle collapsed on Monday, leaving four injured and one dead.

The Big Four Ice Caves, northeast of Seattle and east of Verlot are a thrilling adventure for ice spelunkers and tourists alike. They are a marvelous view too, but a deadly one it seems once the rising temperatures are melting the ice and causing them to collapse. People trapped inside have little chances of survival.

The Big Four Ice Caves collapse was reported at 5:38 P.M. on Monday to the Snohomish County Sheriff Department. The spokeswoman for the Sheriff’s Office stated that the person who died is still buried under the avalanche of ice and snow, as the effort to bring out the body was suspended during the night.

Of the four people who were injured, three were transported urgently to Seattle trauma center. One man at the age of 25 is in critical condition following the Big Four Ice Caves collapse. Another man aged 35 only showed minor injuries after the event.

A woman also aged 35 was rushed in with cuts and fractures supported by the legs and pelvis. Nonetheless, her condition is stable, according to Susan Gregg, the spokeswoman at the Seattle trauma center.

The fourth victim of the Big Four Ice Caves collapse, a girl, was transported to a hospital in Everett, Washington, Providence Regional Medical Center.

Following the collapse at the Big Four Ice Caves that killed one person and injured another four, the ice caves are now closed.

Already in May the U.S. Forest Service started issuing warning sites to enthusiast hikers, tourists and spelunkers alike that the Big Four Ice Caves are in the ‘most dangerous state’ as temperatures are rising, reaching unusually high benchmarks.

On Monday when the collapse happened, the temperatures reached 80 degrees. Also, during the past year many signs have been placed along the tracks and at the Big Four Ice Caves to warn visitors of the danger, according to Tracy O’Toole of Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

Image Source: travelalltogether.com