Popular hobby

Around 150,000 dives take place on Lake Attersee every year

Water rescue divers searched for other possible casualties.

(Bild: Wasserrettung OÖ)

The underwater world of Lake Attersee captivates thousands of sports enthusiasts - regardless of the time of year. On Thursday, a 59-year-old Pole died after developing health problems at a depth of around 50 meters.

"We dive all year round. Even less so in summer, because the parking spaces are occupied by swimmers from early in the morning," says Günter Oberschmid from the "Zur Nixe" guesthouse and chairman of the Attersee Diving Competence Center. Experts estimate that there are 150,000 dives on Lake Attersee every year. At the infamous Black Bridge alone, there are said to be between 60 and 70 per week. "No matter when you drive past, there are always cars there," says Oberschmid.

Emergency ascent from a depth of 50 meters
On Thursday, this spot was the undoing of a 59-year-old Polish man. According to Upper Austria Water Rescue, the man was part of a three-person Tec-Diver group. After a problem at a depth of around 50 meters, the Pole made an emergency ascent to the surface, where he was brought to shore floating motionless by other divers present. Despite resuscitation attempts by the quickly arriving emergency services, the diver died on the spot.

There is always a residual risk
"Technical diving is a very delicate subject, you can't make any mistakes and you have to have special examinations and certificates," says Oberschmid, who has dived in the area around 50 times himself. He warns against turning the Black Bridge into a myth, as there is always a residual risk.