A 50th birthday celebration in the Tatra Mountains turned fatal after a man died and a woman suffered severe injuries following a high-altitude fall on Rysy on Thursday.
The Circumstances of the Expedition
According to Justyna Rataj-Mykietyn, spokesperson for the District Prosecutor’s Office in Nowy Sącz, the victims were former university classmates who planned the trip to celebrate the woman’s 50th birthday.
Evidence gathered thus far indicates that conditions on the trail were extremely difficult on the day of the incident. Investigators confirmed that although the deceased man carried crampons in his backpack, he was not wearing them at the time of the accident.
The Rescue Operation
The TOPR rescue service was notified at 2:15 p.m. on Thursday by a hiker who discovered the man’s body and, approximately 80 meters away, found the woman suffering from severe spinal pain. The witness did not observe the fall, but both victims were found at the base of a gully dropping from the summit.
Thirty rescuers participated in the hours-long operation. Severe weather conditions initially prevented the use of a helicopter, forcing rescuers to reach the site on foot. The woman was eventually airlifted to the District Hospital in Zakopane after receiving initial medical aid, while the man’s body was transported to Morskie Oko before being moved to the facility.
Medical Status and Investigation
The woman, who sustained a spinal fracture and a pneumothorax, remains in serious condition and has been transferred to the University Hospital in Kraków. The prosecutor’s office has ordered an autopsy at the Department of Forensic Medicine in Kraków to determine the exact cause of the man’s death as the investigation continues.
Current Conditions in the Tatra Mountains
The Tatra National Park warns that hazardous conditions persist in higher mountain elevations. Snow remains on portions of the trails, particularly in shadowed areas and northern slopes, requiring hikers to possess both experience and proper safety equipment, such as crampons, ice axes, and helmets.
Lower elevations are also difficult, with muddy, slippery trails and elevated water levels in streams. Additionally, avalanche-felled trees obstruct the green-marked trail between Równia Waksmundzka and Hala Gąsienicowa, necessitating extreme caution.