Slipped in the snow

Mountaineer survives 200-meter fall in Tyrol

A terrible alpine accident on Saturday in the Tyrolean Lech Valley: a 63-year-old mountaineer slipped on a snow field and fell around 200 meters over steep terrain. The local man suffered injuries and had to be rescued by helicopter.

The alpine accident happened around midday in the municipality of Steeg. According to the police, the 63-year-old suddenly slipped on an old snow field while descending from the so-called Biberkopf (2599 meters high).

Mountaineer was unable to prevent the fall
The local man could no longer hold on and fell around 200 meters over steep terrain. He suffered serious injuries. The crew of the emergency helicopter rescued the mountaineer, who was flown to the hospital in Immenstadt in Bavaria after first aid.

Slipping means danger to life
Even though spring has long since arrived in the valley, there is still a lot of snow on the mountains and winter conditions prevail. The mountain rescue service recently issued a warning about snow fields in particular.

The snow is not limited to pathless terrain, but often covers paths and trails that lead through (steep) slopes, flanks and gullies. Anyone who slips while crossing is in mortal danger. "Especially in the morning and particularly on the north side, the snow fields are hard and dangerous," it said.