18-year-old falls uncontrollably while climbing in Kleinwalsertal and is seriously injured

Role of the belay partner

Investigators initially did not comment on the exact course of the fall, in particular on the question of whether the second climber held the rope or whether there was a failure in the belay chain. Police in Feldkirch have launched an investigation.

The Kleinwalsertal region south of Oberstdorf is a popular holiday region. The Spullerplatte climbing garden is frequented by locals and visitors alike and is considered by climbers to be a manageable route area.

Rescue and investigations

The injured person was given initial care at the accident site and then taken to a hospital. No further details were initially given about the exact nature of the injuries or the current state of health of the 18-year-old.

The authorities are now examining how the fall could have happened. The focus is on the role of the belayer at the lower end of the rope, because tensioning or blocking the rope in the event of a fall can prevent or at least mitigate an impact with the ground.

In climbing accidents, the question regularly arises as to whether those involved had sufficient experience and whether the belay technique was applied correctly. Weather conditions and the condition of the rock are also routinely checked.

Tips for climbers

The Kleinwalsertal belongs to Austria, but can only be reached via German roads in terms of transport. Rescue operations in the valley are often coordinated together with German mountain rescue services, as the region is also served by emergency forces close to the border in an emergency.

Police in Feldkirch, responsible for Vorarlberg, have already emphasized on several occasions in comparable cases that complete documentation of the course of the accident is important in order to clarify possible liability issues and prevent future accidents.

Climbers traveling in Kleinwalsertal have been repeatedly reminded in the past of the importance of a correct belay partner constellation. Experts recommend checking equipment together before each tour and clearly regulating communication on the rock.

The incident is reminiscent of previous accidents in the region in which there were also falls without adequate rope securing. The investigations into the current case are ongoing; further information is expected in the coming days.