It should have been a nice tour on a popular walking up and ended with three dead through Lightning. After the devastating alpine accident in the Verwallgebirge (Landeck District), Tyrol is in shock. The recovery of the dead presented the emergency services with major challenges.
A 62-year-old local of the Stanzental, his 60-year-old brother and his wife (60) drove from the Paznaun valley from Schnann am Arlberg to Ganatshalpe (1854 meters above sea level) by the car. From there, the Bergers trio rose about 800 meters on foot on the marked hiking climb to the lunch point (2635 meters).
The weather suddenly struck
“They were probably on top between 12.30 and 12.45 pm,” says Patrick Wechter, head of the Alpine Police in the Landeck district. “From there they were still in contact with their family members in the valley.” However, because the weather was reversed and thunderstorms approached, they immediately started the descent along the same route. But neither on the Alpine Pasture nor at home the trio arrived. In the evening the family members raised the alarm.
Thunderstorms, rain, fog and wind during search
“We immediately started a search,” says operations manager Patrick Wechter. The external requirements were extremely difficult: thunderstorms remained furious, it rained heavy, fog, well cloudy and wind represented delicate circumstances – especially for the emergency helicopter Christophorus 5.
Found seeming around 8:15 pm
“Together with a second Alpine Policeman and a police dog hand, I climbed from the Alpine Pasture to the lunch tip,” says Woman. “When we were just above the forest border, the helicopter came through fog and clouds and at 8:15 pm the three climbers were about 200 meters.”
Blitz had hit a trio directly
The crew had a terrible photo. “The three locals was immobile in addition to the climb in the same area. The emergency doctor could only determine the death of the mountain climbers.” A flash had hit the trio directly and fatally.
Master performance of the emergency services
The helicopter then flew the police officers to the scene of the accident, together the shocked emergency services arrived the dead under the difficult weather relationships. “The helicopter could not land, the pilot had to place the machine with a heaven – a masterpiece,” says Wechter.
In various rotations, the accident and the emergency services were flown to the landing location in Pettneu, which also accompanied the also alarmed Mountain Rescue.
Accident between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
The drama probably took place between 1 p.m. And 2 p.m. at an altitude of almost 2300 meters. “The three were already from the exposed ridge, they were touched by lightning in a fairly flat area,” says Woman.
Mountain greeds among the victims
“It was just a lot of bad luck,” says the experienced Alpine politian. There is almost no fate anymore, it is said. This fate also met a mountain range from the lake in the Paznaun -Valley on Sunday, which is among the victims.
No similar accident in recent decades
Wechter cannot remember a similar dramatic accident with different deaths due to lightning in the past 20 years. Franz Markart, the training manager of the Tyrolean Alpine Police, also touches the same notch. “I only know a case from the Karwendel who was more than 20 years ago. At that time, a flash hit a group of alpinists when degrading the Ödkarspitze. There were two dead and two seriously injured.”
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.
