Foreign Tourist Dies on Rysy Trail After Cardiac Arrest

A foreign tourist suffered sudden cardiac arrest on the popular Rysy trail on Tuesday, July 28, dying despite immediate resuscitation efforts by witnesses and mountain rescue teams.

Fatal Incident on the Rysy Trail

The tragic event occurred on Tuesday, July 28, on the popular trail leading to Rysy. A foreign tourist experienced a sudden cardiac arrest. According to Kamil Suder, the on-duty TOPR rescue worker, witnesses at the scene immediately initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Tatian Volunteer Search and Rescue (TOPR) rescuers then joined the operation, performing advanced medical procedures.

Despite the rescue efforts, the tourist could not be saved. The victim and their accompanying trip partner were evacuated by helicopter to Zakopane.

Difficult Conditions in the Tatra Mountains

The trail to Rysy on the Polish side leads from Morskie Oko through Czarny Staw pod Rysami, and then through steep, rocky terrain secured with chains. It is one of the most difficult marked routes in the Polish Tatras. Rysy can also be accessed from the Slovak side, with the trail leading from Štrbské Pleso through the Mengusovská Valley, Popradské pleso, and the Vha Saddle. The Slovak peak of Rysy stands at 2,501 meters above sea level.

Hiking conditions in the Tatras following Monday’s rainfall are difficult. Wet rocks make steep sections very slippery. On Tuesday before noon, the Tatras were shrouded in a low cloud ceiling that limited visibility, though the weather improved and the sun appeared in the mountains during the afternoon hours.

TPN Appeal and Safety Warnings

The Tatra National Park (TPN) appeals to tourists to adjust their routes to current conditions, properly prepare, and check weather forecasts before heading out into the mountains. In the higher parts of the Tatras, especially on exposed sections, it is easy to slip and fall even under seemingly good conditions.

More information will follow soon.