Alpine emergency

Large mountain rescue team on the Rax

17 members of the mountain rescue team had to be deployed.

(Bild: APA/EXPA/Johann Groder (Symbolbild))

Adverse weather conditions led to three mountaineers having to make an emergency call on Saturday afternoon. The Alpine Police, 17 mountain rescuers and a police helicopter were deployed to bring the severely weakened and hypothermic people to safety. 

Three Hungarian citizens, two women (55 and 23) and a man (24), ventured on a mountain tour in the Rax area on Saturday. They set off at around midday and reached the Karl-Ludwig-Haus at 2.15 pm. Fog and wind were already gathering at this point. 

Nevertheless, the group decided to descend further. They then took a wrong turn and found themselves in rugged and steep terrain. 

Severely weakened and hypothermic
At 4 p.m., they finally made an emergency call. The police helicopter was deployed. However, due to the bad weather, rescue by air was not possible. An Alpine police officer and around 17 mountain rescue team members then set off to bring the three Hungarians safely down the mountain.

When the mountain rescuers came across the three people, they were already severely weakened and hypothermic. They were given first aid and the group descended into the valley accompanied by the rescuers. All the people remained unharmed.