Search and rescue teams respond to 17 Mile Cave in Bonneville County
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IDAHO FALLS — Bonneville County Sheriff Search and Rescue responded to a possible emergency situation at 17 Mile Cave, a lava tube about 16 miles west of Idaho Falls near U.S. Highway 20.
Authorities were alerted at around 7 p.m. that a vehicle had been parked and abandoned at the entrance of the cave for a lengthy period of time. The person who alerted deputies believed someone was inside the cave and might be in distress, Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Chris Smith said.
Deputies are investigating the cave. Contrary to online rumors, there is no evidence of any sort of cave collapse, Smith said. He did ask the public to avoid the area as authorities search the cave system.
EastIdahoNews.com is monitoring the situation and will update as more details are released.
