Rescue operation on Rabensteinhorn: Soldier injured by falling rocks!

Rescue operation on Rabensteinhorn: Soldier injured by falling rocks!

A tragic incident shook the mountains around the Rabensteinhorn near Bad Reichenhall. On July 1, 2025, a 31-year-old Bundeswehr soldier was seriously injured in an accident when he was hit in the leg by a falling stone. The emergency call reached the mountain rescue service around 10:00 a.m., which initiated a complex rescue operation. Several units, including the mountain rescue services in Bad Reichenhall and Freilassing as well as the rescue helicopter “Christoph 14” from Traunstein, were alerted to help as quickly as possible.

The helicopter pilot took a mountain rescuer on board, who was winched to the scene of the accident together with an emergency doctor. “It was a difficult situation, emergency medical care and the removal of the injured person had to be carried out quickly under challenging conditions,” reported part of the rescue team. Ultimately, this was also an impressive achievement by the mountain rescuers, because the soldier was secured in a special rescue seat and pulled into the helicopter with the help of a winch. The entire operation lasted over an hour.

Frequent accidents in the Alps

This tragic incident is not the first of its kind in the summer of 2025. Serious accidents in the mountains have already increased in recent weeks. On June 25th, a missing mountaineer was discovered dead below the Hochtor. Just two days earlier, a terrible incident occurred in Tyrol in which a 28-year-old German fell 280 meters to her death. Such news is a wake-up call for everyone who ventures into the mountains: the risks are great and the need for caution is essential.

The numerous mountain rescue missions in June 2025 also included several tragic accidents. For example, a 30-year-old hiker from Bangladesh died after collapsing on Jägerkamp, ​​while a 28-year-old woman had to be flown to hospital with serious injuries during climbing training on Dachstein. These and other incidents highlight the dangers of mountaineering and the outdoors.

Conclusion: Safety is the top priority

The Rabensteinhorn incident is a sobering reminder of how important it is to pay attention to safety when hiking in the mountains. The mountain rescue service can provide valuable help in critical moments, but the conditions for such operations are often demanding. In light of recent accidents, it is advisable to prepare thoroughly, always keep an eye on weather conditions and never neglect your own safety. Another appeal to all mountain lovers: be careful and respect nature to prevent such tragedies.

Further information on mountain accidents and operations can be found at Mercury and Alpine.