Hikers survive avalanche in Spain

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PANTICOSA, Spain, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- Five hikers in the Spanish Pyrenees survived being buried up to their necks by an avalanche, authorities said.

The five were among a group of 12 who were climbing the Garno Negro peak when a huge wall of snow came rushing toward them, ThinkSpain reported.

Iker Arriandaga of Madrid said he immediately threw himself to the ground when he realized the avalanche was about to engulf him.

"It was like whizzing down a 328-foot slide made of sheet-ice, and all I could think about was keeping my head out of the snow," he said.

Moments later a helicopter arrived to rescue the group.

Spanish civil guard officers said the climbers were very lucky to escape alive.

Two members suffered minor injuries.