Canoe capsized

Canoeist recovered dead after search operation on the Lech in Tyrol

The 59-year-old is believed to have capsized.

(Bild: thinkstockphotos.de (Symbolbild))

A fatal canoe accident occurred on Thursday afternoon in the Lech river in the Tyrolean Außerfern region. A 59-year-old German had capsized in his boat and a passer-by discovered the man in the water. After a major search operation, the canoeist was found on a sandbank - unfortunately too late. 

At around 4.30 p.m., the eyewitness raised the alarm: he had discovered a person floating behind a canoe in the Lech near the Schrägbrücke bridge in the municipality of Bach. A search operation was immediately launched with several fire departments, the water rescue service, the emergency helicopter and the Red Cross.

Resuscitation attempts unsuccessful
The emergency services found what they were looking for in Elbigenalp: They discovered the lifeless man on a sandbank around 150 meters above the Nikolausbrücke bridge and immediately began resuscitation measures. But to no avail - they were unable to save the canoeist. 

Immediate resuscitation measures by the rescue team had to be aborted without success.

Die Polizei in einer Aussendung

Autopsy ordered
As it turned out, the deceased was a 59-year-old man from the Kulmbach district in Bavaria. He is believed to have entered the Lech in Steeg and subsequently capsized. An autopsy was ordered to clarify the cause of death.