Two German hikers (21, 22) ended up in an alpine emergency in the Tyrolean lowlands on Friday evening. However, it was not a safe rescue, but the cost of the surgery was the couple’s main concern. The 21-year-old even contacted his health insurer. This surprised the mountain rescuers.
The duo from the Bavarian district of Günzburg wanted to spend the night in the Hinterunuetz area, a peak of the mountain massif northeast of the Achensee in the Brandenberg Alps. But immediately after dark, the woman suddenly had panic attacks.
Call the health insurance company first
The 21-year-old contacted Sandro Huber, local manager of Achenkirch’s mountain rescue service, around 9:15 p.m. and asked about a rescue. “One of the first questions he asked me was, ‘What would the rescue actually cost?’ That was his main concern. Then he said he should check with his health insurance company to see if they would cover the costs. But it is clear that he has not reached anyone there,” Huber said in a statement to Krone.
“According to his weather app, the storm would pass”
He asked about the rescue helicopter “RK2″, which is destined for night operations. “This one is stationed in Reutte. But the storm was already brewing there, so he couldn’t take off,” says the mountain rescuer. Huber then explained to the hiker several times that it was dangerous to spend the night at the top with thunder and lightning and that his girlfriend’s panic attacks likely to get worse.” He countered that according to his weather app, the storm would pass. But I didn’t believe him – and I didn’t. You can trust us, after all we come from the area”, the mountain rescuer is surprised.
‘In the end they showed understanding’
Due to the approaching bad weather front, Huber made a different decision for his team – namely not to climb to the Germans: “That would have been too dangerous for us too.” So the couple was left alone with an independent descent to the Zöhreralm – via an easy hiking trail where there are no open spaces. “The two finally agreed. We picked them up there, arranged a hotel for them and took them there,” says Huber, “in the end the couple showed understanding.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
