A 38-year-old Czech climber was injured on Saturday in Carinthia, Austria, on the Hochalmspitze when a boulder weighing about 200 kilograms came loose and pinned his legs. Rescuers had to use a pulley system to free him.

A pair of Czech climbers were ascending from the Maltatal valley. One of the two 38-year-old climbers was leading the way, climbing about ten meters ahead, while the other belayed him. For reasons still unknown, a rock weighing approximately 200 kg came loose, fell toward the belayer, and struck him in the leg area.

The second climber immediately descended to his injured colleague and called for help. A police helicopter transported mountain rescuers, a doctor, and equipment to the scene. The rescue operation itself, conducted in high-altitude terrain, required multiple helicopter flights to transport the necessary equipment.

Using a lever provided by the local fire department, the rescuers finally managed to lift the rock enough to provide further care to the injured man and subsequently transport him by rescue helicopter to a hospital in Lienz.

Source:

www.polizei.gv.at: Schwerer Alpinunfall im Bezirk Spittal an der Drau