Major operation in Lechtal

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Ascent tracks and the avalanche can be seen in the area of the red circle.

(Bild: Manuel Kerber)

Avalanche alert late Monday morning in the Tyrolean Lechtal: In the Kaisertal in the Lechtal Alps, there was a major search operation involving several helicopters and mountain rescuers after an avalanche. A local ski tourer (62) had been buried. The man was rescued and flown to hospital.

Shortly before 11 a.m., the message went out from the Tyrol control center. As the "Krone" quickly learned, the avalanche had occurred in the area between the Kaiseralpe and the 2889-metre-high Vorderseespitze in the Lechtal Alps near Kaisers (in the Kaisertal valley). 

Two ski tourers - a man and a woman - were on a slope with a gradient of around 40 degrees at an altitude of around 1900 meters when the avalanche broke loose.

Einsatzleiter Manuel Kerber

Tourers swept 300 meters away
"Two ski tourers - a man and a woman - were on a slope that was around 40 degrees steep at an altitude of around 1900 meters when the avalanche came loose," explains head of operations Manuel Kerber from the Steeg mountain rescue team in an interview with "Krone". The local man was then swept around 200 meters by the masses of snow and buried. The woman was also caught in the avalanche, but was only buried superficially.

A six-person group from the German Alpine Club observed the avalanche. Together with the companion, the alpinists were able to locate the buried victim using avalanche transceivers. In the meantime, the Christophorus 5 emergency helicopter had also arrived. The alpinists and crew finally managed to dig out the victim, who was buried half a meter deep, after around 15 minutes.

The scene from the helicopter.

(Bild: Manuel Kerber)

More helicopters and mountain rescuers on site
After receiving the emergency call, several helicopters - the Libelle police helicopter and the Robin 3 and Christophorus 5 emergency helicopters - as well as the Elbigenalp, Holzgau and Steeg/Kaisers mountain rescue teams and dog handlers were alerted.

Rescued and taken to hospital by helicopter
The victim and the woman were flown to hospital in Zams by emergency helicopter. Further details on the degree of injury are not yet known. However, according to information so far, there is no danger to life.

Moderate avalanche danger
Avalanche warning level 2 (moderate) is currently in force in this area above the tree line, but the danger is likely to increase significantly on Tuesday due to the fresh snow.