Two mountain accidents on the Katzenstein: dramatic rescues in the Salzkammergut!

Two mountain accidents on the Katzenstein: dramatic rescues in the Salzkammergut!

Gmunden, Österreich - On July 19, 2025, a 62-year-old man from the Gmunden district undertook a mountain tour on the famous Katzenstein, who protrudes into the sky at 1349 meters. However, his adventure took a dramatic turn when he slipped on the marked path at around 9:30 a.m. during the relegation and crashed down a rock passenger for about two meters. Despite indefinite injuries and bleeding wounds, the hiker continued his descent and finally contacted the emergency services after he had reached the Laodachsee, where he was first looked after by the rescue workers. His path led him to the Salzkammergut Clinic Gmunden for further treatment, as the police report.

However, the Katzenstein was not just a setting for him on this day. Shortly after the 62-year-old's incident, there was another effort when a 65-year-old man from Gmunden and his 38-year-old son started a tour at around 1 p.m. over the walk to the summit. The father's accident occurred during the descent at around 4:20 p.m. when he slipped when he climbed backwards and fell on a pointed stone with full force. The son immediately alerted the emergency services because his father could no longer descend independently, as reported on [Nachrichten.at] (https://www.nachrichten.at/oberoesterreich/aufwaendige-berrettung-nach-unfall-am-katzenstein ;art4.3886579).

elaborate rescue operation

The rescue of the 65-year-old turned out to be extremely complex. An emergency helicopter team tried several times to save the man using Berggetau, but the strong winds made it impossible. Thereupon a team of the mountain rescue Gmunden was dropped to the scene of the accident. They were supported by a mountain rescue officer and other mountain residents who rose from the Mairalm to the scene of the accident. The rescue operation was additionally made more difficult by the darkness and the rough terrain. Parts of the path had to be cleared to safely transport the accident.

Such incidents once again show how important security when hiking in the mountains is. Sometimes an careless moment can have fatal consequences. In both cases, the emergency services did a great job, which shows that a quick and professional action is always required in an emergency.