Video: Teens saved in dramatic mountain rescue

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SEATTLE -- Search and rescue crews have rescued two boys who were trapped for 5 hours Thursday afternoon under snow and ice near Snoqualmie Pass. A snow bridge had collapsed beneath them and then caved in on top of them.

The Seattle teens, 17-year-old Alec Corbett and 14-year-old Allesandro Gelmini, were both suffering from hypothermia when they were rescued, King County sheriff's spokesman Sgt. John Urquhart said.

Gelmini, rescued first, also suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries, Urquhart said, adding Corbett's injuries were being evaluated Thursday evening.

Snoqualmie Pass Fire Chief Matt Cowan says two families with the boys called 911 shortly around 1:30 p.m. Thursday. At about 5:30 p.m., the King County Sheriff's Office said rescuers had made contact with one of the boys. The other one was contacted a short time later.

The first boy was pulled out at about 6:15 p.m., the second boy about 30 minutes later.

"It was very difficult to get them out, and to get them out alive," Urquhart said.

A Navy helicopter transported the boys to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

Search and rescue workers said the boys were hiking with their mothers and sisters and one of the mothers had just taken a picture with the two boys when the snow they were standing on collapsed beneath them.

"Our theory is what's called a moat that forms around the snow. The water and the heat melt it away and they probably got close to the lip and it collapsed," said Peter Linde, King County Search and Rescue.

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The snow bridge over Denny Creek collapsed, trapping the two teens under large chunks of snow and ice.

Firefighters were quickly on the scene, but first responders had nothing to dig the teens out with. They had to wait for rescue crews with snow shovels and ice axes to hike the 1.5 miles to the scene.

"We just got large pieces of wood, just trying to leverage huge chunks out of the way, just trying to look everywhere. We called their names for a really long time. I have to admit, I kind of lost hope after awhile," said witness Matthew Miller.

Corbett's mother, Joni, walked over to speak with reporters after both boys had been rescued. She said she was ecstatic to learn that both had survived.

"I still haven't heard about my son's condition but the other boy is doing good," Joni Corbett said.

Her husband, Brian, said his emotions have gone "from the lowest I've ever been to now, it's just great."

Video from the scene shows firefighters and volunteers digging outside the caved-in area. One firefighter could be seen tossing chunks of ice.