Mountaineer dies after fall on Patteriol in Innsbruck clinic

At 3,056 meters, the Patteriol is one of the most striking peaks of the Verwall group in the Austrian federal state of Tyrol and is regarded by mountaineers as a demanding tour. The ascent leads via the Konstanzer Hütte and through steep rock and scree gullies, which are tricky to negotiate even in dry conditions.

The Patteriol: a challenging Tyrolean three-thousand-metre peak

The rescue teams from Tyrol and Vorarlberg were deployed in large numbers on Saturday. In addition to the emergency medical helicopter "Martin 2", mountain rescue and the alpine police were also in operation. Coordination was carried out via the Tyrol control centre.

Following the accident, the tour to the Patteriol was closed for the day due to the ongoing risk of rockfall. Hikers and mountaineers were asked to give the area a wide berth. The police initiated investigations into the course of the accident.

Closure and investigations

The Alpine Club and mountain rescue pointed out that the current weather conditions with changing temperatures could further reduce the stability of scree and rock. Mountaineers are advised to plan tours in this region carefully and to pay attention to current conditions.

The name of the victim was not released by the police. The authorities are asking for information from the public that could contribute to establishing the course of the accident.

Mourning in the region

There is great dismay in the region. The Konstanzer Hütte, a popular base for tours in the Verwall group, commemorated the victim with a minute of silence.

Investigations by the alpine police are ongoing. Among other things, it is being examined whether the tour was undertaken with the correct equipment and what weather conditions prevailed on the day of the accident.