Crashed 200 meters

Viennese (31) killed in an accident in Schladming

In addition to the rescue helicopter, the Tamsweg and Schladming mountain rescue teams, the "Libelle Quebec" police helicopter and the Tamsweg and Liezen Alpine Police were also deployed.(Bild: APA/BERGRETTUNG TAMSWEG/KOCHER)

A 31-year-old Viennese man had a fatal accident on Saturday while hiking in the Schladminger Tauern in the border region between Salzburg and Styria. 

Together with eleven other people, the Viennese had climbed from the Landawirseehütte (district of Tamsweg in Salzburg's Lungau region) towards Trockenbrotscharte via a marked trail to Pietrach (2390 meters) at around 10.30 am without a guide.

Crashed over sloping terrain
When the twelve friends wanted to return to the starting point along a ridge via the Krautgartscharte, the 31-year-old suddenly slipped in the grass and fell over the steeply sloping terrain to the left and right. 

Mountain rescue and emergency doctor on site
After around 200 meters, the 31-year-old lay lifeless in a steep gully. Three companions immediately descended to him, administered first aid and alerted the mountain rescue team. "The terrain there is steep and rocky and a bad weather front was forecast. We were therefore very happy that the 'Martin 1' team flew the deceased's companions towards Landawirseehütte (1985 meters)," reports Hannes Kocher, head of operations and district manager, about the long mission.

The emergency doctor who arrived with the "Martin 1" air rescue could only determine that the hiker was dead.(Bild: APA/BERGRETTUNG TAMSWEG/KOCHER)

Companions in severe shock
However, the emergency doctor who arrived with the "Martin 1" air ambulance was only able to determine that the hiker had died. The uninjured companions - men from Salzburg, Upper Austria and Bavaria aged between 20 and 31 - were in severe shock and were brought to safety by the rescue helicopter.

One alpinist from the group was missing at the time. After a search operation, it turned out that he had descended to the Keinprechthütte (1872 meters) to get help. The Schladming mountain rescue team, who were also alerted, found the man there.

No third-party responsibility
There are no indications of third-party responsibility. In addition to the rescue helicopter, the Tamsweg and Schladming mountain rescue teams, the "Libelle Quebec" police helicopter and the Tamsweg and Liezen alpine police were also deployed.