Swept away by the river

Hiker (25) plunged down a waterfall

The hiking trip of a 25-year-old, who was on his way from Übersaxen (Vorarlberg) towards the "Üble Schlucht" gorge in Laterns with a few friends on Sunday afternoon, ended rather badly.

During the ascent, the young man slipped, lost his balance and fell into the flowing Frutz. As the current of the river was very strong, he was unable to reach the bank. He was swept away by the Frutz and fell over a waterfall into the depths. There he came to rest in a pool.  

Serious head injuries
The 25-year-old suffered superficial head injuries and a traumatic brain injury. He was first treated by the Rankweil mountain rescue team and then rescued using a rope. The crew of the C8 emergency helicopter then took the injured man to the regional hospital in Feldkirch.