New details about the gondola crash Tuesday morning in the Hochoetz ski area in the Tyrolean Ötztal: As the police confirmed to the “Krone”, a family – specifically a father with his daughter and son and an uncle – was involved in the gondola accident. All four occupants were seriously injured; one person’s life is in danger.
In all likelihood they were Danes, as Michael Haid from the Imst district police command told the “Krone”. The two men are 44 and 49 years old, the father’s children are 17 and 19 years old.
Gondola torn from anchorage by tree
The horrific incident happened shortly before 10.30am on Tuesday. According to the current state of the investigation, a tree fell directly on the gondola. “It was probably hit so hard that it was lifted out of its anchorage and fell,” Haid explained. It is unclear why the tree fell. “At least there was no wind,” the official said.
All four occupants were seriously injured in the crash; one person was in mortal danger as of the afternoon. It was initially unclear who it was. In any case, the injured were flown by helicopter to the clinic in Innsbruck or to the hospital in Zams.
Dense fog delayed the rescue operation
A major operation was started immediately after the accident. “It is very difficult terrain there. The operation was correspondingly difficult,” said a spokesperson for the mountain railway.
As the “Krone” also noted, there was dense fog at the start of the rescue operation, which posed major challenges, especially for the helicopter crews.
Rescue with the rope was initially not possible because the ‘downwash’ of the helicopter, ie the wind pushed down by the rotor blades, created a risk that more trees could fall on the victims on the ground. Endangered trees were then felled so that the emergency medical helicopter “Martin 8” could begin rescuing the victims using a cable winch. A total of four emergency medical helicopters and the police dragonfly, which flew mountain rescuers to the scene of the accident, were in action.
The police, judiciary and cable car authorities are investigating
The police, the public prosecutor’s office and the responsible cable car authority have launched an investigation into the exact cause of the accident. The Acherkogelbahn is temporarily out of use due to the incident.
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.
