Mountain rescue legend Andrzej Gąsienica-Józkowy died at age 80 on March 1st after 40 years of service with TOPR.
Career and Death
Andrzej Gąsienica-Józkowy was born in Zakopane in 1946 and grew up in Walowa Góra. In 1986, he became a candidate rescuer in the Tatra Volunteer Rescue Service (TOPR), taking his rescuer’s oath a year later. As a professional mountain rescuer, he worked for 40 years.
Gąsienica-Józkowy died on March 1st at the age of 80. Funeral ceremonies will take place on Thursday (March 5) at 13:00 at the cemetery on ul. Nowotarska in Zakopane.
Rescue Operations
Andrzej Gąsienica-Józkowy participated in 463 rescue expeditions and over 440 interventions in skiing accidents. For his services to mountain rescue, he was awarded the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Rebirth of Poland.
TOPR Statistics 2025
In 2025, TOPR rescuers carried out 1047 rescue operations. The most common causes of incidents were falls, sudden illnesses, and lack of appropriate skills. In 16 cases, accidents resulted in death. Altogether, rescuers provided assistance to 1200 people.
