Vorarlberg mountain rescuers and police win safety awards

Vorarlberg’s mountain rescue service and police have received awards at the KSÖ safety awards, ORF reported. The rescuers placed third for freeing 19 passengers and a dog from a cable car during a storm, while a police facial-recognition project took second place.

Klaus Drexel and other members of the Vorarlberg mountain rescue service were recognised in the “Rescue operation of the year” category for the operation on June 23, 2025. Both cables of the Karren cable car were forced out of their guides during a storm, leaving two cabins stopped and a rescue cabin unable to reach them.

Rescuers were flown to the mountain as the extent of the storm damage became clear. Rene Gemeiner, one of the first to arrive, described seeing a large tree blown down across a path. With the weather situation unclear, established procedures could be used only in part, and the operation remained tense until the passengers were brought to safety after seven hours.

Philipp Stadler of the Vorarlberg Police Directorate took second place in the “Outstanding achievements” category for the “Superrecognizer” project. The year-old pilot involves 11 people with an exceptional ability to recognise faces. They assist with image searches, searches for specific targets, surveillance and security at large events.

Gemeiner said the rescuers were pleased to be nominated, while noting that many rescue operations and other contributions to public safety go unrecognised.