Luck in misfortune

Young mountain rescuer swept away by avalanche during tour

Symbolic image

(Bild: Paul Sodamin)

Shocking moment for four mountain rescuers in St. Anton am Arlberg! On Saturday, a 21-year-old suddenly triggered an avalanche while on a tour together. The young man was lucky and was not buried. However, he had to be taken to hospital with injuries.

The four friends set off from the Rendl ski area in the direction of Darmstädter Hütte and continued towards the eastern ridge of the Scheibler. From there, the group then skied in a northerly direction. "After just a few turns, a 21-year-old Austrian triggered a 150-metre-wide slab avalanche, which swept him along for around 200 meters," said the police.

Rescued by police helicopter
When the avalanche came to a standstill, the local man was on the surface of the snow and was therefore not buried. However, he sustained serious injuries. His three friends were not affected by the avalanche and immediately made an emergency call. The 21-year-old was rescued by the police helicopter and flown down to the valley. The three uninjured mountain rescuers were able to ski down to the valley on their own.

Fall due to changing snow conditions
In the early hours of the morning, a 50-year-old Austrian woman in Stummerberg climbed the 1998-metre-high Heutaljoch on her touring skis together with five other alpinists from the Teifentalalm. After the six winter sports enthusiasts had reached the summit, the group skied down in the direction of "Hemerergrund". "The 50-year-old fell due to the changing snow conditions and was seriously injured," said the police. The woman was rescued by the emergency helicopter and flown to the district hospital in Schwaz. The remaining group members continued their tour.