81-year-old Tyrolean falls 15 meters into the Garnitzenklamm – saved!

81-year-old Tyrolean falls 15 meters into the Garnitzenklamm – saved!

On September 17, 2025, a tragic incident occurred in the Garnitzenklamm near Hermagor, Carinthia. An 81-year-old Tyrolean, who was walking with his wife on a marked hiking trail, fell about 15 meters into a stream bed. The accident occurred at around 12:50 p.m., with the man suffering injuries of an unspecified degree.

Rescue workers were immediately alerted and quickly arrived at the scene. Initial care was provided quickly by the Hermagor mountain rescue team before the man was rescued with a Red Cross helicopter (RK1). He was then taken to the Villach Regional Hospital to receive care. A total of seven members of the mountain rescue team and two officers from the Alpine task force of the Hermagor police were involved in the rescue measures.

More hiking accidents in Austria

However, this accident is not the only incident that has required mountain rescue services in Austria recently. On Whit Monday, a few months ago, a 59-year-old German hiker also lost his life in the Garnitzenklamm when he slipped on a narrow path and fell into the gorge. His 40-year-old companion tried in vain to reach him before seeking help. Despite the rapid intervention of the rescue workers, the 59-year-old could no longer be helped; he died from severe head injuries. The rescue was carried out using rope by a police helicopter, as the impassable terrain made direct rescue difficult.

As in the fatal accident, in the 81-year-old's current case, the hiking trail was known to be technically demanding, especially in wet conditions. This shows that despite the good security of such paths, the risk in changeable weather should not be underestimated.

Rescue operations and hiking safety

In recent weeks there have been similar alpine accidents in several regions of Austria. For example, a 30-year-old Austrian fell in the Ötztal and also required rescue by a helicopter. A German hiker on the Wilder Kaiser was able to stop his fall and called for help himself, while a climber in Zillertal who was suffering from exhaustion was also successfully rescued. These incidents indicate that mountain rescue is required to ensure the safety of hikers.

In summary, these cases show how important it is to pay attention to safety when hiking and to be aware of the dangers in alpine areas. The Garnitzenklamm is a popular destination for hikers, but as the tragic events confirm, unforeseen situations can arise at any time.

For further information about the rescue operations and current incidents in Austria, you can find further details here: 5min.at, Bild.de, and Allgäu newspaper.