VERLOT, Wash. — The woman who died in Monday's Big Four Ice Caves collapse has been identified as Anna Santana, 34,from Moreno Valley California.
The medical examiner says she was killed by force to the head and torso.
Five other people, two men, a woman, and two teenage girls, are recovering from their injuries.
David Santana, 25, remains in critical intensive care while Dustin Wilson, 35, is in satisfactory condition. The other survivors have been released from the hospital.
It took nearly a full day for crews to recover Anna's body from the collapse.
Crews had to figure out how to safely get into the collapsed cave on Tuesday located about 10 miles east of Granite Falls. Officials say the victim was at the back of the cave, and the extremely dangerous conditions made a safe recovery difficult.
The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office said the initial call came in to 911 on Tuesday about 5:38 p.m. It is estimated that the collapse occurred around 45 minutes earlier.
"Our biggest problem with rescue operations in this area has always been communication," said Search and Rescue Sgt. Danny Wikstrom.
>> PHOTOS: Images from scene of collapse at ice caves
Officials say there is no cellphone coverage area for several square miles, and radio communication between first responders can be spotty, due to the terrain. It is 14.5 miles to nearest phone at Verlot Ranger Station from the ice caves.
The Big Four Ice Caves are shut down until further notice.
It was 80 degrees at the caves Monday, and the warm weather has caused instability and melting of ice.
KIRO
