Hiker falls 85 metres in Westendorf

A 20-year-old man fell about 85 metres while hiking in Westendorf on Sunday, ORF reported. Dense fog made the rescue difficult.

The man was part of a six-person group from Germany descending from the Choralmbahn mountain station, at an altitude of 1,820 metres. The group was walking downhill across terrain without a path when he slipped on the wet ground and fell down a steep grassy slope. The group called emergency services.

After the fog briefly cleared, emergency helicopter C4 was able to carry out what police described as a “crash rescue”. The man received initial treatment in the valley and was then flown to St Johann in Tirol hospital with a chest injury and a fracture to his lower leg.

Ten members of the Westendorf mountain rescue service, two vehicles, the helicopter and two alpine police officers took part in the operation.