Tyrolean woman injured

Hiking pole broke on descent from the Drachenwand

A broken pole had serious consequences for a Tyrolean woman on the Drachenwand near Mondsee (Upper Austria) on St. Mary's Day. The woman was descending with her partner when a hiking pole suddenly broke. The 38-year-old lost her balance, fell headfirst over a rock step and remained unconscious.

The couple (both 38 years old) from Hall in Tirol had set off on a hike from the municipality of Fuschl am See to the Drachenwand in the municipality of Mondsee at around 1 pm on Friday. After the two had successfully reached the summit, they began their descent.

At about the height of the so-called "Drachenloch", the 38-year-old wanted to descend over a rock step using her hiking poles. And that's when the accident happened: one pole suddenly broke off and the woman fell about two meters forward over the rock step.

Friend provided first aid
The Tyrolean woman was seriously injured and was also briefly unconscious. Her partner and other hikers immediately provided first aid and also alerted the emergency services.

The 38-year-old was flown to a nearby hospital by the "Christophorus 6" emergency helicopter. Her boyfriend suffered a shock, but was brought safely down to the valley by mountain rescuers.