An Alouette III crew from Aigen im Ennstal rescued a seriously injured mountaineer from rough terrain last night in collaboration with the mountain rescue service and ÖAMTC. Following a request from the regional warning center, the crew took off from Aigen air base in the direction of the Dachstein massif. At 8.45 p.m., the injured man was located in the area of the Scheichenspitze (altitude: 2,667 meters) and rescue by air was initiated.
Despite the difficulties caused by the darkness and the rough terrain, together with the ÖAMTC, it was possible to free the injured man from his predicament using the cable winch of the Austrian Armed Forces helicopter. After the winch rescue, he was transported to a pick-up point, where the rescue team stabilized the injured mountaineer and took him to Schladming Hospital.
“Our pilots showed once again tonight how quickly they are on the scene in an emergency. I would like to thank the crew for this incredible and life-saving mission for the casualty. Our Armed Forces act highly professionally in difficult situations and are always on duty where they are urgently needed – thank you,” said Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner. Albert Prugger from ÖAMTC said of the winch rescue by the Austrian Armed Forces: “The rescue was definitely life-saving for the person who fell.” With its helicopters and the high level of training of its pilots and flight rescuers, the Austrian Armed Forces are also authorized to carry out winch rescues at night. The helicopter squadron in Aigen is particularly specialized in this procedure. The Alouette III helicopters have been in service with the Austrian Armed Forces since 1967. https://flic.kr/p/2jAcrTq
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