Helicopter crew rescues hiker after 20 metre fall

A 65-year-old German hiker was rescued by helicopter after falling about 20 metres into a ravine near the Kleiner Sonnstein mountain in Traunkirchen, Gmunden district. ORF reported that she was injured in a stream bed.

The woman was hiking with her 66-year-old husband on Thursday when she slipped on a wet rock at about 670 metres above sea level, in an area known as the Eisgraben. Two hikers who had overtaken the couple shortly before saw the accident, went to help and called emergency services.

Difficult rope rescue

The Traunkirchen mountain rescue service, an alpine police officer and the Martin 3 emergency helicopter were called out. After an initial aerial assessment, the helicopter crew decided to carry out a rope rescue.

The narrow ravine was densely overgrown, making the operation difficult. The crew eventually used a rope about 95 metres long to lift the injured woman to safety. After receiving first aid, she was taken to Salzkammergut Clinic Gmunden. Her husband was not injured.