Police Trainee Falls at Stuibenfall During Alpine Training in Tyrol and Dies

Immediately after the accident, a large-scale search operation was launched, involving several emergency organizations. Among those deployed were the Umhausen Volunteer Fire Department, the Water Rescue and Mountain Rescue Umhausen, as well as water rescuers from the Innsbruck and Landeck local stations. Two helicopters supported the search from the air.

According to media reports, the search has since been extended from the waterfall to the Ötztaler Ache. The rescue teams searched intensively for several hours for the woman, who had been swept away by the masses of water. It was not until around 6:10 p.m. that the missing woman was discovered at the foot of the Stuibenfall.

Search and Recovery

"However, for the 34-year-old, all help came too late – she could only be recovered dead," it was stated. Up until then, the police spokesman had still assumed in the early evening, in statements to APA, that the victim had not yet been found: "Bis dato würde die Verunfallte noch nicht gefunden, sagte ein Polizeisprecher zur APA am frühen Abend."

The accident site is the suspension bridge over the Stuibenfall, one of the best-known and highest waterfalls in Tyrol. "The accident is believed to have occurred while crossing the suspension bridge over the waterfall," police said. The exact circumstances of the fall remain unclear.

Investigations into the Cause of the Accident

The Alpine Police of the Salzburg State Police Directorate have been commissioned to investigate the circumstances of the accident. "The exact circumstances of the fall remain unclear," the investigators stated. The via ferrata at the Stuibenfall is popular with both tourists and locals alike and is considered a challenging alpine route.

The alpine training was part of the basic police training for Tyrolean police officers. The authorities cordoned off the accident site over a wide area while mountain rescuers and the alpine police secured evidence. Witnesses were asked to contact the police.

Federal Interior Minister Gerhard Karner expressed his deep shock over the death of the young woman. "This tragic loss of a young woman, who was torn from life in an instant, shakes me and all of us to the core," the minister stated. He offered his heartfelt condolences to the relatives as well as to the colleagues of the course.

Reaction from the Interior Ministry

"There are no fitting words to express my dismay and disbelief. Nevertheless, I would like to express my deepest condolences and sympathy to the family and all relatives," Karner continued. "My sympathy also extends to the affected course colleagues and the teaching staff."

The Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) and the entire Austrian police are mourning the 34-year-old police trainee from Tyrol. The Interior Minister emphasized that the relatives could count on every support in the difficult time ahead. "Der Innenminister betonte, dass die Angehörigen in der kommenden schweren Zeit auf jede Unterstützung zählen könnten."

Psychological Support and Aftermath

The BMI's Psychological Service is available on site to support the emergency personnel and fellow trainees. In addition, the BMI's Crisis Intervention Team can be reached for colleagues at the accident site. The exact modalities of the initial psychological care were coordinated between the Interior Ministry and the Tyrol State Police Directorate.

The Stuibenfall in the Ötztal, with a drop of around 150 meters, is one of the highest waterfalls in Austria and a popular destination for excursions. The via ferrata runs along the rock face next to the waterfall and requires surefootedness as well as a head for heights. The rescue routes in the area of the waterfall are demanding, which is why, in addition to mountain rescue, specialized water rescuers were also deployed.

The authorities pointed out that the via ferrata at the Stuibenfall was temporarily closed during the recovery operations. The Tyrol State Police Directorate set up a dedicated information point for relatives and witnesses. The investigations by the Salzburg Alpine Police into the exact course of the accident are ongoing.

Police asked hikers and via ferrata climbers in the region to exercise particular caution. The weather conditions on the day of the accident are being included in the investigations. A final report by the Alpine Police is expected in the coming weeks.

APA, 7/15/2026