37-year-old mountaineer falls to her death in the Karwendel – Police seek witnesses

After that, all contact was lost. When contact subsequently broke off completely and she did not return as agreed, the family reported the 37-year-old as missing in the evening. The search for the woman then proceeded through the standard rescue structures.

Search and Discovery

In the evening, at around 7:00 p.m., a four-person hiking group discovered the woman lifeless in a steep gully on the east side below the summit trail. The group and immediately placed an emergency call. The emergency physician from the alerted rescue helicopter "Heli 4" was only able to confirm the death of the victim at the scene.

The recovery of the deceased was subsequently carried out by the police helicopter "Libelle." Because the accident site was on Austrian territory, domestic emergency services took over the further measures. The recovery of the body was ultimately carried out by the Austrian police helicopter "Libelle" together with an officer from the alpine response group Kleinwalsertal.

Recovery by Domestic Emergency Services

The police have now initiated investigations into the exact course of the fall. They are particularly seeking the four passersby who found the victim in the gully and set the rescue chain in motion, as well as any other possible witnesses who saw the woman on July 23 in the area of the Plumsjochhütte or the Montscheinspitze.

The Mayrhofen police inspectorate is responsible for receiving information. Witnesses can reach the station at the telephone number +43 59133 / 7254. The authorities ask that any relevant observations from the course of the missing person's day be reported.

Appeal to Witnesses

The Montscheinspitze is a 2,106-meter peak in the Karwendel mountain range in Tyrol. The ascent from the Plumsjochhütte leads over partly exposed paths and includes sections with scree and steep gullies that are particularly tricky in wet conditions or after rockfall.

The combined mountain bike and mountaineering tour is considered demanding among alpinists because it requires endurance, safe bike handling on mountain trails, and ridge mountaineering experience. The weather and trail conditions on the day of the accident are the subject of the ongoing investigation.

On the Topography of the Montscheinspitze

The identity of the victim has not been made public by the authorities. According to police, the family was notified and cared for by emergency personnel. There are no conclusive findings yet regarding the exact circumstances that led to the fall.

In this context, the police point out the importance of informing relatives about the planned route and the expected time of return when undertaking mountain tours. Carrying a charged mobile phone and adhering to agreed return times can also facilitate search and rescue in an emergency.

The recovery and transport of the deceased were carried out jointly by the alpine response group Kleinwalsertal and the police helicopter "Libelle." The operation was logistically demanding due to the location in a steep scree gully and the advanced time of day.

The Karwendel region is one of the most popular mountain areas in Tyrol and is frequented year-round by hikers, mountain bikers, and climbers. The responsible alpine response groups regularly emphasize the need for careful tour planning, appropriate equipment, and a realistic self-assessment.

Police Advice for Mountain Tours

Investigators are now examining whether external circumstances such as weather, rockfall, or a medical issue may have triggered the fall. Third-party fault is not ruled out based on the current state of the investigation but is considered rather unlikely.

The Mayrhofen police inspectorate has taken over the handling of the incident and will submit a report to the Innsbruck public prosecutor's office upon completion of the investigation. Whether proceedings will be initiated depends on the outcome of the examinations.

The mountain rescue service and the alpine response group Kleinwalsertal pointed out that the cooperation with the four-person hiking group that placed the emergency call proceeded in an exemplary manner. Without the rapid alert, the location where the victim was found might have been pinpointed significantly later.

The authorities ask persons who were in the area of the Plumsjochhütte or the Montscheinspitze on July 23, 2026, and made observations, to contact the Mayrhofen police inspectorate. Photos or videos from the course of the day could also be significant for reconstructing the accident.