79-year-old hiker dies in fall near Kellerjoch chapel
Thursday 27th August 2026 on 06:45 in
Austria
A 79-year-old man died after falling down a steep slope while climbing to the Kellerjoch chapel in the Schwaz district on Wednesday afternoon, ORF reported.
The man was hiking with his seven-year-old grandson. They were travelling from the Hecherhaus via the Kellerjoch mountain hut towards the chapel when the boy, who was several metres ahead, saw his grandfather suddenly fall down a 40- to 45-degree grassy slope strewn with rocks.
A mountaineer below the accident site climbed up to the man and provided first aid. Another hiker called emergency services. Police said the 79-year-old suffered fatal injuries.
An emergency doctor helicopter, a police helicopter carrying alpine police officers, a police patrol and the Red Cross crisis intervention team took part in the rescue and response.