Tragic day at Lake Starnberg: two fatal swimming accidents

Tragic day at Lake Starnberg: two fatal swimming accidents

On June 15, 2025, Lake Starnberg was the scene of a tragic water tragedy. In just one hour, two people died in swimming accidents, which deeply shocked the region. The first incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. in the Percha bathing bay, when a 32-year-old father who was traveling in an electric boat drowned in the water. Despite the quick help of the motorboat that rescued him, he was already unconscious. Unfortunately, attempts at resuscitation by the emergency doctors were unsuccessful, and the mourning for the loss is noticeable in the community, as Merkur.de reports.

Just twenty minutes later, the second incident happened. Three Indian students took turns jumping into the water when one of them suddenly sank. The two friends tried to help him, but got into serious trouble themselves. The Starnberg water rescue service and water police immediately started the intensive search for the missing student with the support of drones, search dogs and a sonar boat. Unfortunately, the targeted search had to be stopped at around 4:30 p.m. without results because the exact circumstances of the sinking on the Murky Water could not be clearly determined.

The role of the water rescue service

The water rescue service in Starnberg is more than just a rescue organization; it is an integral part of the community. A new board was elected in March 2021 to strengthen volunteer work. Markus Bucher is at the helm as the new chairman, supported by Sebastian Thallmair and Thomas Laven. The members also include experienced rescuers such as Harald Schwämmlein, who was recently elected deputy technical manager. This organization has proven itself in many operations in the past, be it capsizing boats or providing first aid on guard duty, as Kreisboten.de reports.

For the members of the water rescue service, the safety of bathers is the top priority. The tragic course of events shows how important it is to act prudently in critical moments. A rescue attempt should never be an impulsive reaction. As emphasized in the instructions from the Malteser emergency service, you should always pay attention to your own safety first. Drowning people are often in a state of complete panic and can react unpredictably. Safe access to water is crucial in order to be able to help those affected quickly and effectively without putting themselves in danger.

The operations of the water rescue service are not only life-saving, but also educational. In 2020, first aid provided during guard duty increased from 29 to 48, demonstrating the increasing importance of their involvement. Looking back at their performance in 2019 and 2020, it can be seen that the number of assignments has grown steadily, which is also due to the continuous training of the members.

The population's trust in the water rescue service is severely tested by tragedies like the one on June 15th. It is all the more important that each of us is aware of the dangers of water and acquires the necessary first aid knowledge in the event of a swimming accident. Knowing the right course of action can mean the difference between life and death in a water emergency.