'We're lucky to be alive': Kayakers record close encounter with collapsing glacier
A huge splash from the collapsing glacial bridge fired water and shards of ice at the pair, before an enormous wave followed.
Sunday 18 August 2019 19:03, UK
A pair of kayakers say they are lucky to be alive after a close encounter with a collapsing glacier in Alaska.
Footage of the terrifying experience shows the moment the glacial bridge plunged into the water below, triggering an enormous splash of water and ice debris that engulfed the two men.
"We're lucky to be alive right now!" one of the pair shouted as they paddled away.
The kayakers, Josh Bastyr and Andrew Hooper, were in the middle of a trip near Spencer Glacier, 52 miles (84km) southeast of Anchorage, when the incident happened.
Speaking after their escape, Mr Hooper said several pieces of ice from the initial splash it him in the hand and the ribs, but noted the enormous wave that came after posed an even greater threat.
"After the burst hit, we were able to see the iceberg again. It went under [the water] from falling, and it created a great 8-10-12 foot wave (up to 3.6 metres) that was headed straight for us," he said.
"So we both turned our boats around and paddled as quick as we could, trying to ride the wave out. Luckily everything turned out OK."