Search operation in Rankweil

Hypothermic fisherman triggers large-scale operation

A highly unusual incident kept the emergency services in Rankweil busy on Saturday night. Following an emergency call from a Swiss fisherman, a large-scale search was launched. However, the man was eventually found somewhere else entirely.

At around 9.30 pm, the police received an emergency call from a fisherman who was audibly from Switzerland, stating that he was at the Paspels lakes in Rankweil and suffering from severe hypothermia. Before he could give his name, the line was cut off - he could not be reached by telephone.

The emergency services from the fire department, mountain rescue, water rescue and police then launched a large-scale search operation involving around 70 people, including several divers and search dogs - thermal imaging cameras were also used. However, the missing fisherman was nowhere to be seen.

However, the 37-year-old Swiss national was eventually found - by the St. Gallen cantonal police, who tracked him down safe and sound at his home. The man stated that he had been picked up by his fiancée and taken home, leaving his fishing equipment behind. However, he should have told the emergency services this. Instead, they struggled in vain - on a day when there was already enough going on due to the heavy rain in Vorarlberg.