UPDATE:
LINCOLN COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — A terrifying new video captures the moment a bridge collapsed inside the Shoshone Ice Caves north of Twin Falls on Sunday night. Three people were injured, including one man who fractured six ribs and had to be airlifted to the hospital.
The video was taken by Jacqueline García, who was inside the caves with her family when the incident occurred. Her family can be heard talking about how they had reached the end of the cave when they fell into the icy water below.
“My first reaction… I was in shock,” said García. “I was worried about my daughter because I knew I had her with me. And I was worried about handing her to my husband.”
She says, once they got out, the reaction from the cave’s owners surprised them.
“Some gentleman hands me a phone, and it was the owner that was on the phone. He was saying, I’m not allowed to call 911, but you can,” said Garcia.
Lincoln County dispatch received a call around 5:47 p.m., with initial reports of up to 20 people trapped. Thankfully, emergency crews quickly accounted for everyone. García tells us she and her daughter suffered whiplash, bruises, and minor leg injuries. Her father, the man who had to be airlifted to the hospital, is facing a few months of recovery.
Shoshone ice caves made a statement via Facebook, thanking first responders and stating that everyone was safe following the incident. The cause of the bridge collapse remains undetermined.
According to a report by KIVI, the co-owner of the ice caves says the people fell about two feet. The owner hopes to have the walkway fixed within a week.
ORIGINAL:
LINCOLN COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — Three people are recovering today after a bridge collapsed inside the popular Shoshone Ice Caves north of Twin Falls last night.
Lincoln County dispatch received a call around 5:47 p.m. reporting the collapse. While initial calls indicated as many as 20 people might be trapped, emergency crews on the scene quickly determined everyone was accounted for, though three people had been injured in the collapse.
One person reportedly suffered what appeared to be broken ribs, while two others had minor injuries, according to a release by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Emergency responders, including personnel from Lincoln County EMS and Shoshone Fire, provided medical aid on site before the injured were transported for further treatment.
Sheriff René King thanked the first responders, including the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, SIRCOMM, and LifeFlight, for their swift response in the rescue effort.
