New, explosive details after Tuesday’s avalanche in Tyrol’s Zillertal: Freeriders deactivated their avalanche airbags and avalanche transceivers before their last ride. Moments later, one of them was buried under the mass of snow. His comrades rescued him, seriously injured.
A group of five Czech freeriders were in the Hochfügen ski area on Tuesday. There were also two guides among them. In the afternoon the athletes went for a drink in a mountain restaurant and made an almost fatal mistake.
Safety equipment disabled
The Czechs, who were well equipped, apparently turned off the avalanche transceivers and also deactivated the avalanche airbags before the local visit. However, when they returned to the open area around 3:15 p.m., they no longer activated the security equipment.
Apparently not because they didn’t think it was necessary anymore on the last trip. The negligence or carelessness took its toll a little later.
Two Czechs deported
On the northeastern slope below the Waidoffen mountain station, a 51-year-old guide fell and a Czech (47) who came to his aid released a slab of snow. Both were swept away. While the 47-year-old was unharmed during the avalanche, the 51-year-old was partially buried.
There happened to be mountain rescuers on site
The two mountain rescuers from Schwaz, Paul Gürtler and Lukas Baradun, also observed the avalanche. “We were on a ski trip ourselves and just below the accident site when the avalanche occurred,” says Gürtler in an interview with the “Krone”. The duo immediately rushed to the avalanche cone, and two other local tourers or eyewitnesses who were slightly above it set the rescue chain in motion.
The victim was lying face down on his stomach
“When we arrived at the victim a short time later, the man had almost been freed from his comrades,” says Gürtler. “The Czech was lying on his stomach, face down, breathing.” Gürtler and Baradun supported the other rescuers, placed a makeshift splint on the Czech’s broken arm and took him to the emergency helicopter that was called. Finally he took the man to Schwaz hospital.
Exemplary rescue operation
“It was an exemplary rescue operation for all involved,” Gürtler summarizes. And the Czechs, who are exemplary equipped, will probably leave their top equipment on next time…
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.
