Partially buried

Freerider caught in avalanche and seriously injured

(Bild: ZOOM Tirol)

Skiing away from the secured ski slopes was the undoing of a group from the Czech Republic in the Tyrolean Zillertal on Tuesday. Two of the five men were caught in an avalanche and swept away. Only one of them was lucky.

The incident occurred at around 3.15 pm. The group of five men from the Czech Republic (35, 40, 44, 47 and 51 years old), consisting of two freeride guides and three participants, were skiing in the Hochfügen ski area. "The group wanted to ski down the north-east slope below the Waidoffen mountain station in open terrain", according to the police. The five men entered the slope one after the other. 

"The 51-year-old guide was the third to enter and fell for unknown reasons."

To the hospital by ambulance
Consequently, the 47-year-old participant drove to the 51-year-old to help him. "On the way there, a snow slab broke loose and swept both men away," said the investigators. The 47-year-old came to rest on the avalanche unharmed. Meanwhile, the 51-year-old was partially buried. His companions were able to dig him out quickly. The guide suffered serious injuries and was flown to Schwaz Hospital by emergency helicopter.

"The avalanche had a width of around 50 meters and a length of around 100 meters," the report concludes.