The mountain rescue teams in Tux and Mayrhofen in Tyrol succeeded on Sunday in rescuing an injured German alpinist and his hypothermic partner from Olperer under adverse weather conditions. The rescue was also possible with the support of the Zillertaler Gletscherbahn.
On Sunday around 2:15 p.m., a German alpinist and his Asian companion raised the alarm. The two were less than five meters below the summit of the Olperer (3,476 m) when the German slipped and injured his knee.
“First, the emergency medical helicopter from Heli 4 tried to rescue the duo from the air. Due to the heavy fog, the helicopter did not even reach the Tuxer Fernerhaus,” said Stefan Pichlsberger, head of operations at the Tux mountain rescue service.
Also a mountain rescue doctor on site
A 13-member team from the Tux Mountain Rescue Team immediately took the glacier cable car up. The team also included a mountain rescue doctor. “We didn’t know yet whether we should transport the injured person lying down, so we alerted the Mayrhofen mountain rescue service,” says Pichslberger. She took part in the delicate operation with seven men.
At 6 p.m. with the injured person
Fresh snow and strong winds made the climb to the victim just below the summit a challenging undertaking. Emergency services reached the patient around 6 p.m. His companion was already showing signs of hypothermia.
The snow plow was already ready
“The injured man was able to move with support, so we had him and his partner abseil about 100 meters from the so-called overhang down to the glacier and then to the Wildlahnerscharte,” says operations manager Pichlsberger. At 8 p.m. the emergency services and patients were safely on the slope; a glacier snow groomer was already there ready to transport them further.
The two eventually took the cable car up to the valley. The injured person did not initially seek medical attention, but rented a room on site for the night.
Perfect teamwork
“The rescue was successful thanks to perfect cooperation between the mountain rescue services of Tux and Mayrhofen and the Zillertaler Gletscherbahn,” says Stefan Pichslberger, who positively summarizes the operation.
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.
