1 Dead in Washington State Ice Cave Collapse

An ice cave partially collapsed Monday in Washington state, killing one person and injuring five others, authorities said. The collapse happened at about 5 p.m. at the Big Four Ice Caves, located in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest east of Seattle.

According to the Snohomish County Sheriff, the person who died was located inside the cave when it collapsed.Shari Ireton, Director of Communications with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, said warm temperatures in recent months have made the caves unstable.

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

The last time someone died in the caves was 2011.

Source: ABC News – Top Stories 1 Dead in Washington State Ice Cave Collapse