Four-year-old falls down ten-metre steep slope in Lower Austria and is airlifted to hospital by helicopter

After the fall, the four-year-old received initial treatment from emergency responders. Due to the severity of the injuries, the rescue helicopter Christophorus was deployed, flying the patient to the St. Pölten University Hospital. No further details on the current state of health of the girl were available on Thursday.

Rescue operation with helicopter Christophorus

Police have begun investigating the circumstances of the accident. Among other things, the inquiry is to clarify under what accompanying circumstances the child was moving in the alpine terrain and how the fall could have occurred. The Ötscher-Basi is among the most popular hiking destinations in Lower Austria and is also frequently visited by families with small children.

At the time of the incident, several hikers were reportedly in the same section of the mountain trail. First-aiders provided first aid until the arrival of the rescue team. Mountain rescue services were also deployed to assist in transporting the child out of the difficult terrain.

Treatment at the St. Pölten University Hospital

As a central hospital, the St. Pölten University Hospital has its own children and youth department and is responsible for the care of severely injured patients in the Lower Austria region. In accidents involving children in alpine environments, a specialised trauma team is generally called in.

When falling from a height of around ten metres onto rocky terrain, there is generally a considerable risk of injury, ranging from bruises and bone fractures to internal injuries. The treating doctors at the St. Pölten Hospital therefore carried out a comprehensive diagnostic programme after admission.

Investigations and safety advice

The authorities pointed out that hikes with small children in alpine terrain require particular caution. According to them, this includes choosing routes suited to the child's age, sturdy footwear, and close supervision at exposed points such as steep drops or viewpoints with terrain edges.

The incident in the Lilienfeld district is part of a series of mountain and hiking accidents in Lower Austria that police have documented in recent weeks. Only the day before, for example, a 17-year-old from Tyrol had been seriously injured in the head after falling from a horse; in addition, a 37-year-old from Vorarlberg had been arrested for a knife attack on her partner.

During the ongoing investigation, any potential witnesses can contact the police inspectorate of the Lilienfeld district. The TV Live Stream also reported on the deployment. According to information from those close to the family, the family does not currently wish to provide any information on the further course of the four-year-old's health.

Police stressed that initial findings on the circumstances of the accident are only to be released after the completion of the investigations and after consultation with those involved. Until then, the relatives are to be protected.