Mountain rescue service in the Harz: 44 missions in the first half of 2023! Safety at risk!

Mountain rescue service in the Harz: 44 missions in the first half of 2023! Safety at risk!

The Harz is a magnet for hikers and offers not only breathtaking landscapes, but also adventures and challenges. Every year this region attracts thousands of nature lovers who want to explore the idyllic paths and untouched nature. But as is often the case in nature, there are also dark sides: numerous accidents and dangerous situations are not uncommon. In the first half of 2023, the Harz Mountain Rescue Service has already carried out 44 missions in Saxony-Anhalt, with 27 of these missions taking place in Wernigerode and 17 in Thale. This shows the importance of the mountain rescue service, which is now once again drawing attention to itself. News38 reports.

In the first six months of 2023, the mountain rescue service caught not only hikers, but also mountain bike riders and climbers in distress. There were, among other things, three air rescues in which the mountain rescue service in the region was supported by a police helicopter. An accident ended tragically when a mountain bike rider without a protective helmet died after a serious fall on the Gelber Brink mountain pass. In addition, a climber who fell about ten meters on the Großer Feuerstein was seriously injured. Matthias Kirmann from the mountain rescue service noted that the equipment of many hikers, climbers and cyclists is usually good, but there are always careless people who set off unprepared and inadequately equipped, for example in sneakers and without a jacket.

The statistics don't lie

The numbers speak for themselves. Loud MDR The Harz Mountain Rescue Service will be on duty more than once a week on average in 2023. This shows that the potential for emergencies in the region is consistently high. It's not just wandering people who get into trouble; Children and carers have also become lost in impassable areas, as shown by an incident in which six children and their carer had to be rescued.

The situation was no different, especially in 2024: The Harz Mountain Rescue Service recorded around ten missions per month, a total of 140 rescue missions. Help was provided to 118 injured people, although tragic individual cases, such as the rescue of a deceased teenager after a fall, also shaped the picture. The Mitteldeutsche Zeitung explains the dimensions of these operations, which are often caused by emergencies while hiking or mountain biking.

Our mountain rescue heroes

The Harz Mountain Rescue Service, the northernmost mountain rescue service in Germany and part of the German Red Cross, consists of a total of ten groups in Saxony-Anhalt and Lower Saxony. In Saxony-Anhalt, the main groups are located in Thale and Wernigerode as well as a support group in Halberstadt. Around 120 men and women are involved in the mountain rescue service, with 46 being actively deployed. A ray of hope is the youth group, which currently has twelve members and is thus training a new generation of rescuers.

In order to be best prepared for the challenges of mountain rescue, the emergency services regularly take part in further training. Not only are the technical skills taught, but also knowledge of nature conservation and medicine. And the tips for hikers are clear: sturdy shoes, suitable clothing and enough water are mandatory. A fully charged cell phone can be crucial in an emergency situation to quickly call for help.

Nature is a wonderful place, but it also requires respect. That's why it's important to prepare well, safety comes first - because as we all know, it can happen faster than you think!