Ski tourer rescued after crash: “Extremely demanding mission”

“It was an extremely demanding mission,” says Martin Hackl, local manager of the Hinterstoder Mountain Rescue Service. In strong winds and snowfall, around 130 emergency services from Upper Austria and Styria moved out in the Pyhrn-Priel area on Sunday after a tourer fell in the Elmscharte area at around 2200 meters above sea level.

Dropped 50 to 80 meters

The 59-year-old was walking with his son on the ridge right next to the state border when a cornice suddenly broke. The alpinist fell 50 to 80 meters in front of his son on the south side of the steep and rocky terrain. His son made an emergency call around 2 p.m., mountain rescuers from Upper Austria and Styria set off.

Four helicopters in action

Due to the weather, a rescue by helicopter was initially not possible. Only after several attempts could the emergency services from the Hinterstoder site be dropped off by a helicopter in the Höss ski area. In dense fog and strong winds, they finally reached the crash site via the exposed Schrockengrat and abseiled down the steep terrain to the victim.

Injured and chilled

The ski tourer was injured and hypothermic, but responsive. After first aid, he was rescued by rope through a steep slope of up to 40 degrees into the so-called Schrockenloch (1,830 meters) transported away.

There the rescuers met the neighboring comrades from Styria. Two ÖAMTC helicopters, the police helicopter Libelle and an Alouette III from the army were also deployed despite the poorest possible conditions.

“Last Minute Rescue”

In a short weather window, the crew of an ÖAMTC helicopter managed to get to the injured person. It was a “last-minute rescue,” according to the mountain rescuers. Just before dusk fell, father and son were flown down the mountain. The “ability of ÖAMTC air rescue and the army” was impressive. The injured person was taken to the hospital in Schladming. Video recordings show the helicopter mission:

“Well equipped and experienced”

The mountain rescuers had to descend into the valley on foot during snowstorms and darkness. The operation ended around 11 p.m. It was “extremely demanding on many levels,” says Hackl, but the cooperation between the various organizations worked extremely well. You can’t blame the alpinists for anything: “They were well equipped and seemed experienced. They knew what they were doing,” says Hackl.

Localization: The Elmscharte is right on the border between Upper Austria and Styria