Strikingly similar

Serious slope collisions in Pitztal and Lermoos

Two serious collisions on Tyrolean slopes on Saturday show astonishing parallels: Both times snowboarders and skiers were involved, both times the victim suffered broken ribs.

At around 9.45 am, there was a collision between a German snowboarder (28) and a German skier (61) on the red marked piste no. 10 in the Rifflsee ski area in St. Leonhard in Pitztal. The latter had stopped at the left-hand edge of the piste to wait for his following colleagues.

Man at the edge of the slope overlooked
The snowboarder must have overlooked this and collided with the older man. Both parties fell as a result of the collision. The skier suffered serial rib fractures and was taken to Zams Hospital by ambulance after first aid. 

The second, strikingly similar accident occurred around half an hour later, at around 10.15 am, in the Grubigstein ski area in Lermoos: For reasons as yet unknown, a German snowboarder (43) collided with a German skier (59), causing both to fall. The woman briefly lost consciousness and remained lying on the blue slope.

Doctor happened to be on site
The second person involved and a doctor who happened to be passing by provided first aid until the arrival of the piste rescue team. The injured woman was then flown by emergency helicopter to Reutte District Hospital, where she was diagnosed with rib fractures and a concussion.