On a long weekend in the Karkonosze, GOPR rescuers responded to 12 people needing help during a series of incidents reported on 9 November.
Overview of the Weekend
During the first few hours of the long weekend, GOPR reported seven incidents requiring assistance, involving a total of 12 people. The incidents spanned a range of injuries and medical emergencies across multiple hiking trails.
Saturday Incidents
After noon on Saturday, a 45‑year‑old man sustained a shoulder injury on the trail toward Jakuszyce. By 2 p.m., rescuers received a call about a 58‑year‑old man in cardiac arrest on the red trail heading to the summit of Śnieżka.
At 3 p.m., a man on the red trail in Kotle Łomniczki suffered a leg injury. Thirty minutes later, a woman on the black trail between the Pod Łabskim and Szczyt Jagniątek tracks also injured her leg, prompting immediate rescue deployment.
Before 5 p.m., a group stranded near Rudawy Janowickie due to early sunset was assisted. At 5 p.m., a man lost consciousness near the Wang temple in Karpacz; with no available medical units, GOPR personnel provided assistance. An hour later, GOPR teams from Szklarska Poręba supported police amid a quarrel in a hut on Szrenica.
GOPR’s Appeal to Tourists
The Karkonosze branch of GOPR praised its volunteers for professionalism and swift action, describing the day as full of work and challenges. They urged hikers to plan routes carefully, carry lighting, warm clothing, and to assess their own limits, noting that autumn peaks can be unpredictable but responsible choices ensure safe return.
Road Incidents Across Poland
Police warned of increased traffic due to the extended weekend, citing possible congestion on routes leaving major cities. On Saturday, 44 road accidents occurred nationwide, resulting in two fatalities, 59 injuries, and 288 drivers apprehended for intoxication.
