Two dead in swimming accident on the Ill in Bludenz – ten-year-old and 22-year-old die after jumping into waterfall

According to the current state of the investigation, the 40-year-old was already below the waterfall while his son stood at the edge above. „Während sich der 40-Jährige bereits unterhalb des Wasserfalls aufhielt, stand der Bub oben an der Kante des Wasserfalls." Shortly afterwards, the ten-year-old and the 22-year-old jumped down the waterfall together. The Vorarlberg police stated: „Kurz darauf sprangen der Zehnjährige und der 22-Jährige gemeinsam den Wasserfall hinunter."

Three people then got into a life-threatening situation. As the investigators further explained, „wurden aufgrund der starken Strömungs- und Sogkräfte der Wasserwalze alle drei Personen unter Wasser gedrückt und tauchten nicht mehr auf". The force of the water left no chance to free oneself from the suction zone.

The father-in-law as first responder

The father-in-law, who had observed the incident from the bank, reacted immediately and jumped into the water himself. He was able to grab his son-in-law – the 40-year-old father – and pull him to the right bank of the river. „Der Schwiegervater, der den Vorfall vom Ufer aus bemerkte, sprang ins Wasser, konnte seinen Schwiegersohn ergreifen und ans rechte Flussufer ziehen." This made it possible to recover at least one person alive.

According to police, the 22-year-old was only discovered later by a first responder and pulled to the left bank of the river, where resuscitation measures were initiated immediately. The Vorarlberg police described: „Der 22-Jährige wurde schließlich von einem Ersthelfer entdeckt und ans linke Flussufer gezogen, wo unverzüglich mit Reanimationsmaßnahmen begonnen wurde." Despite all efforts, any help came too late for him.

Search for the ten-year-old

The police confirmed in this regard: „Der 22-Jährige verstarb trotz der eingeleiteten Maßnahmen noch am Unfallort." This made the young man the first confirmed fatality of the disaster. The emergency services subsequently became aware of the still-missing ten-year-old.

The ten-year-old boy was found drifting in the water by emergency services and passers-by only about 300 metres downstream. „Der zehnjährige Bub wurde erst rund 300 Meter flussabwärts von einer Passantin im Wasser treibend gefunden", the police said. A passer-by had spotted the boy and „gemeinsam mit zwei weiteren Helfern aus dem Wasser geborgen".

First responders then began resuscitation measures on the riverbank. The police explained: „Auch hier wurden bis zum Eintreffen der Rettungskräfte Reanimationsmaßnahmen durchgeführt." At the same time, a large contingent of rescue forces was alerted.

Large-scale deployment of rescue services

The toll of the operation is devastating. „Bei einem Badeunfall auf der Ill in Bludenz sind am Sonntag zwei Menschen gestorben, darunter ein zehnjähriges Kind", the Vorarlberg police summarised. The authorities spoke of a „folgenschwerer Vorfall", which had occurred „unterhalb eines Wasserfalls".

The ten-year-old was flown by rescue helicopter to the Feldkirch regional hospital. As the police explained: „Der zehnjährige Bub wurde mit dem Rettungshubschrauber ins Landeskrankenhaus Feldkirch geflogen, wo er im Laufe des Abends seinen Verletzungen erlag." Medical help came too late for the child as well.

The seriously injured 40-year-old father was initially admitted to the Bludenz regional hospital and subsequently transferred to the Feldkirch regional hospital. „Ein 40-Jähriger wurde zunächst ins Landeskrankenhaus Bludenz und in weiterer Folge ins Landeskrankenhaus Feldkirch überstellt", the police confirmed.

Current and suction as a deadly trap

According to the police, a large contingent of helpers was deployed: „Im Einsatz standen vier Feuerwehren, die Wasserrettung, das Rote Kreuz, ein Rettungshubschrauber sowie die Polizei." Several first responders and relatives had also tried to rescue those involved in the accident.

„Ein weiterer Angehöriger und Ersthelfer bargen die Verunglückten und begannen mit Reanimationsmaßnahmen", the investigators explained. Without the courageous intervention of the relatives and the passer-by, the toll could have been even worse. According to the police, the rescue chain worked despite the severe course of the accident.

The causes of the disaster are clear according to the police: it was the masses of water themselves. „Starke Strömungs- und Sogkräfte wurden einem Kind und einem jungen Mann zum tödlichen Verhängnis", the statement said. The water vortex below the CKG waterfall proved to be a deadly trap.

Investigations and support for relatives

The police also pointed to the particular danger of such spots. „Ein Sprung ins Wasser hatte am Samstag im Bezirk Bludenz verheerende Folgen", the authority concluded. The case is now being documented by the Vorarlberg police; investigations into the exact cause of the accident are reportedly underway.

„Wasserfallsprung fordert zwei Leben, darunter ein Kind (10)", the police summarised the tragedy in a brief message. The incident occurred on 28 June 2026, as APA reported on 29 June 2026 citing the Vorarlberg police.

The relatives of the victims are being cared for by crisis intervention services according to police. An official statement from the city of Bludenz or the state of Vorarlberg was not initially available. The authorities announced that they would provide separate information on further developments.