SEATTLE -- Two local teenagers suffered broken backs and hypothermia after an enormous snow cave collapsed on top of them Thursday afternoon, reported KIRO 7 Eyewitness News.

The boys were freed after five hours following a massive rescue effort Thursday evening.

The accident happened near Snoqualmie Pass, while the two boys were hiking with their families up the Denny Creek Trail near Melakwa Lake, Matt Cowan of the Snoqualmie Pass Fire Department said.

Allesandro Gelmini, 14, and Alec Corbett, 17, of Seattle, both suffered broken backs and hypothermia after they were crushed by 10 to 15 feet of snow and ice.

Allesandro's mother said her son also suffered broken bones in his face, an ankle fracture and is undergoing back surgery Friday afternoon. He remains in serious condition.

The 17-year-old is also undergoing back surgery Friday, family members told KIRO. Alec suffered some other minor injuries and is officially listed as being in satisfactory condition.

The boys were inside of a cave comprised of snow and ice when the ceiling of the cave collapsed and came crashing down on both boys.

Allesandro's sister, Marta, said she heard the ice crack right before the collapse.

The two victims huddled in air pockets beneath two stories of ice for nearly five hours before being rescued by crews who shoveled and picked away at the snow and ice before using chainsaws to cut the ice into slabs.

After being rescued, the two were put on stretchers, bundled up, carried down from the area and put into a Blackhawk helicopter. They were transported to Harborview Medical Center where they are currently hospitalized for their injuries.

The huge rescue effort included technical avalanche and high-angel rescue teams, Eastside, Bellevue and Snoqualmie fire personnel, and K-9 units.