It is shocking the incidents that have occurred on the Austrian slopes in recent days. In addition to drunken skiers, carelessness and icy conditions, it was probably also a lack of self-evaluation that led to numerous accidents. The result: three deaths, cardiac arrest and several people in hospital.
The devastating series of accidents began last Wednesday in Lachtal, Upper Styria. There, a 50-year-old had an accident on “Slope No. 6”, and two days later, on Friday, a 66-year-old died on the same slope. This was immediately subjected to a security check.
Holidaymaker succumbed to injuries in hospital
The sad news from Tyrol also caused disbelief: a 67-year-old skier came off the slopes on the Stubai Glacier on Thursday and fell heavily – the German eventually succumbed to his injuries in the clinic in Innsbruck.
Only a short time later the following terrible reports arrived from Vorarlberg and Styria…
In Montafon, a 69-year-old skier collided with a teenager (17). The woman was seriously injured and went into cardiac arrest. She was given first aid by witnesses and flown to hospital. Shortly afterwards, a 19-year-old skier fell 40 meters over rocky terrain. He activated his avalanche backpack, which police say may have saved him from serious injury.
Between Friday and Saturday afternoon, a total of 13 winter sports accidents occurred in 24 hours in the winter sports regions of Planai, Hochwurzen and Reiteralm – all near Schladming in the Liezen district.
But elsewhere the situation on the ski slopes deteriorated further last weekend: on Nassfeld in Carinthia, a total of four people had to be flown to hospital in Villach after a fall. In Upper Austria, a drunken skier was discovered in complete darkness on a valley run that had already been closed.
Woman rammed by drunken snowboarder
In Tyrol it became dramatic again – this time on the Hohe Munde (2662 meters). A German trio could not get back and forth between the rocks in the deep snow. Photos bear witness to their plight. The alpinists had to be rescued by helicopter. In East Tyrol, a very drunk snowboarder hit a skier (49) during the descent. While the woman lay injured for a long time, the hooligan continued driving.
Even good athletes are not without flaws
Numerous helpers also reached their limits this weekend. There are tremors, especially in Styria. After the two fatal accidents in the Lachtal, director Karl Fussi immediately carried out safety checks. “In both situations, I immediately drove to the scene with my track manager to check the track in question for any safety leaks. But there’s just nothing! The conditions are perfect at the moment, the descent is not particularly challenging,” said Fussi. “Unfortunately, even the best skiers are not immune to mistakes…”
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.
