South Tyrol's mountain bike star Andreas Tonelli dies in the fall in the Langental

South Tyrol's mountain bike star Andreas Tonelli dies in the fall in the Langental

The tragic death of Andreas Tonelli, a 48-year-old extreme athlete from South Tyrol, shaked the outdoor community. Tonelli died in a mountain bike accident when he fell around 200 meters into the depth in the Langental on Tuesday evening. He was known for his risky descents and trails in the Dolomites and was considered an adventurer and story plate in the international scene. This incident is a painful memory of the dangers of mountain sports.

The Accident happened when Tonelli was on a height path towards Piz Duleda. According to reports, the extreme athlete was in an area that was officially not officially designated for mountain bikes. Shortly before the fall, he had shared videos on Instagram, on which he was seen with his bike at a dizzying height of 2905 meters and spoke of an "epic Dolomite enduro tour" that promised a descent of 4000 meters of altitude. The relatives alerted the mountain rescue after not arriving at home as agreed, and a search started immediately.

The course of the accident

During his departure, according to the first investigations, the rear wheel of the mountain bike could have slipped away, which led to a loss of control. Tonelli's body was discovered around 1 a.m., but the salvage could only be carried out a few hours later at dawn, since the weather and terrain conditions considerably made the rescue measures significantly difficult. His search was coordinated by a friend and mountain rescue after he had been alerted that Tonelli had disappeared.

Tonelli was originally born in Völs on Schlern and had given up his office job in 2014 to fully devote himself to mountain sports. He also worked for Norrona Adventure and planned guided trips, including a Dolomite crossing, which was to take place this week. His passions included mountain biking and splitboarding, and he enjoyed a remarkable online presence with over 120,000 followers on Instagram.

The grief for the "mountain man"

friends, family and companions describe Tonelli as a “mountain man” and a source of inspiration. His open smile and the camera, which always accompanied him, symbolized his love for nature and adventure. His tragic death is in a context that has already recorded many serious accidents in the mountains this year. According to reports, several mountaineers fell in other regions in July alone or got into critical layers by storms.

This sad message underlines the risks of mountain sports and is reminiscent of the need to take safety precautions, also for experienced athletes. Tonelli will be remembered in the mountain sports community as one of the great adventurers, whose passion and commitment to sport will remain unforgettable.

For more information about Andreas Tonelli and the accident, read Vol.at, MTB-NEWS and alpin.de.