Canoe accident at Präßnicksee: 63-year-old missing in storm!

Canoe accident at Präßnicksee: 63-year-old missing in storm!

The police and rescue workers are looking for a missing kayaker at the Großer Präßnicksee near Friedrichswalde. The 63-year-old man was out on the lake with his wife on Wednesday morning when an accident occurred. This was preceded by suddenly changing weather, which led to strong waves and ultimately caused the kayak to capsize. While trying to swim to shore, the man sank and could not be rescued despite the help of his wife. The search operation began on Wednesday, accompanied by a helicopter and a drone to support the emergency services. This extensive search operation involves the district's police, emergency services and fire departments, who are doing everything they can to find the missing person, it is reported rbb24.

Unfortunately, accidents during water sports are not uncommon. A tragic example recently occurred in the Salzachklamm in Austria. A 33-year-old kayaker from Munich suffered a fatal accident there on Sunday. His kayak capsized under unclear circumstances in a dangerous section of rapid currents after passing a power station. While his companion successfully reached calm water and made an emergency call, the 33-year-old was found dead several hours later. It is believed that he had been pushed under a rock, indicating the extreme danger of the currents in this region. 30 volunteers from various organizations were involved in the large-scale search operation, as Merkur reports.

Water sports in Germany in focus

The incidents highlight the risks of water sports, which despite everything are very popular in Germany. Swimming is one of the most popular water sports and attracts over half a million members to swimming clubs every year. Ironically, however, the number of public pools is decreasing while the number of non-swimmers is increasing. This is unfortunate as there is a wide range of water sports on offer, such as sailing, diving and kayaking. The German Canoe Association reached a peak of around 128,000 members in 2023, which underlines the popularity of this sport. The state subsidies for the association are around 4.7 million euros. In this context, it is important to ensure infrastructure and safety during water sports to avoid accidents. This also includes the right training and experience in dealing with the circumstances, according to the analysis by Statista.

For many people, water sports offer a great way to experience nature and stay active. But always use this offer with a healthy amount of respect and caution. After all, sport should be fun, not dangerous. Let's enjoy the beauty of water sports together and always be safe!