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Fatal Collapse in Kirnitzschtal and Fog‑Hampered Rescue at Karkopf Underscore Alpine Risks

The back-to-back cases show volunteer teams adapting when sudden medical crises and low valley cloud limit helicopter options.

Overview

  • On Friday evening, a 44-year-old hiker collapsed without warning in the 'Zahme Hölle' section of the Kirnitzschtal while walking with three companions from Brandenburg.
  • Bystanders began CPR as Bergwacht Bad Schandau and the DRF helicopter 'Christoph 62' with a physician fought to revive him in difficult terrain after dark, but he died at the scene.
  • Rescuers later carried out the recovery and accompanied the victim’s shaken companions back to the valley.
  • Around 11:15 on Saturday, a 74-year-old local slipped on ice while descending from the Karkopf, injuring his knee and becoming unable to bear weight.
  • With inversion fog grounding a helicopter, five volunteer rescuers used the Predigtstuhlbahn and the cable railway’s all-terrain vehicle to evacuate him to Kreisklinik Bad Reichenhall in an operation lasting about two hours.