Heat collapse on via ferrata in East Tyrol: 44-year-old German woman rescued by helicopter

The Verborgene Welt is considered one of the more demanding via ferratas in the Lienz region and leads through several exposed rock sections.

The incident occurred during a period of high-summer temperatures in East Tyrol. Exhaustion and dehydration are among the most common causes of distress situations on via ferratas.

According to the emergency services, the woman was in stable condition when she arrived at the clinic. More specific information on the nature and severity of any possible injuries was not initially provided.

Tips from the emergency services

The police pointed out that early starts for via ferrata tours are generally recommended because of the cooler temperatures. Especially in high summer, the risk of heat collapse rises quickly.

The via ferrata "Verborgene Welt" is located in the Lienz Dolomite region and, according to mountain guides, is frequented mainly by ambitious hobby mountaineers. The difficulty rating is in the upper middle range.

Operation and aftermath

The rescue operation lasted, according to initial estimates, just under one hour. In addition to the helicopter, mountain rescuers were deployed on the ground.

According to police, the woman was equipped but apparently not sufficiently prepared for the heat stress. According to the experience of the emergency services, water and electrolyte supplies play a central role in such cases.

For the East Tyrol mountain rescue service, this was already one of several operations in the current season that were attributable to heat-related problems. Given the weather situation, the emergency services expect further incidents.

Police response

The incident is being handled by police as an alpine emergency; further investigations were initially not necessary.

The German woman was expected to be able to leave the hospital after outpatient treatment on the same day, according to the BKH Lienz.