Rescue operations in the Harz: Bergwacht fights hiking accidents!

Rescue operations in the Harz: Bergwacht fights hiking accidents!

Thale, Deutschland - The picturesque landscapes of the Harz attract numerous hikers, climbers and mountain bikers every year. But there are dangers behind the idyllic scenes: the Harzer mountain rescue guard had to deploy 44 missions in the first half of 2023, 27 of them in Wernigerode and 17 in Thale. Highlights in this operational balance were three air rescues by winch, supported by a police helicopter. The accident of a mountain bike driver was tragic, who had a fatal accident at the Gelber Brink mountain pass in June after he plunged without a protective helmet. A climber also fell at the Große Feuerstein about ten meters in April and had to be recovered seriously injured. The problem child of the mountain rescue service, however, not only remains the equipment of the athletes, but their preparation-many are simply carelessly on the move, as Kirmann from the mountain rescue service is observed. News38, that ...

The situation is not new. In 2024, the Harz mountain rescue guard counted about ten missions per month, which met a total of 140 missions. The vast majority of these missions took place in the summer months of July and August. While the emergency services helped 118 injuries, unfortunately one person also had to be recovered dead. The reasons for these missions range from broken ankles to circulatory standstills to severe falls, such as recently at the witch danceplace in Thale, where a 17-year-old young person was fatal. Fortunately, another hiker survived a cardiac arrest thanks to the fast resuscitation measures by first aiders. The Harzer mountain rescue service has made up a total of ten groups and is the northernmost mountain rescue guard in Germany. In Saxony-Anhalt there are main groups in Thale and Wernigerode as well as a supporting group in Halberstadt. The emergency services, including 46 active members, continues to train and are increasingly relying on air support in order to be able to intervene quickly in difficult conditions. For this purpose, regular training courses for Air Rescue Specialists are offered that contain practical exercises with helicopters. The mountain rescue service also plays an important role in the acquisition of young people with a youth group that currently has twelve members.

The recent statistics of the German Alpine Club draw a multi -layered picture of the mountain accidents in Germany. While the total number of deaths in Bergsport 2020 reached the slightest number of the last 70 years at 28, the trend for many sports remains declining. Only with mountain biking and via ferrata was there an increase in accidents. Compared to the first mountain accident statistics from 1952, the risk for members of the Alpine Association nowadays is about an eleven times lower risk. The Alpine Club explains the numbers ...

summarized it is shown that despite its beautiful nature, the Harz also carries challenges. Comprehensive preparation and responsible behavior are crucial for the security of all outdoor enthusiasts. If we all be careful, we can enjoy the beauty of nature without getting into dangerous situations.