Two injured in an ice climbing accident – tirol.ORF.at
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In the area of the hanging gardens in Lüsens (district of Innsbruck-Land), two young men were hit and injured by falling chunks of ice on Saturday afternoon. The boys were ice climbing on the rock face.
The Lüsenstal is a side valley of the Sellraintal in the Stubai Alps. According to the police, the two men were about to climb the steep rock face shortly after 1 p.m. when a free-hanging ice column collapsed.
Some difficult achievements
The two climbers were then hit by the falling chunks of ice. One of the two, a 22-year-old student from Innsbruck, experienced serious surprises on his shoulder and thigh. His colleague, a 33-year-old student, suffered a concussion and bruises.
Accident happened in dead zone
The accident was eventually noticed by a larger group that was climbing nearby. According to the police officers, this climber will then also take care of the immediate first aid for the injured. However, it was initially not possible to make an emergency call because the area is very isolated and no network was available. A woman finally descended alone until she had cell phone reception and then informed the emergency services.
The injured were rescued by helicopter
Since the visibility was very good, it was not a problem to rescue the two climbers with the emergency helicopter and fly them into the valley, the police reported. There, the rescue team received the men and finally brought them to the clinic in Innsbruck.