Polish national dies after avalanche buries freeriding group in Tyrol, with only one survivor from the five-person team.
Fatal Avalanche in Tyrol
A Polish skier was killed in Austria’s deadliest avalanche incident, which swept away a group of freeriders in Tyrol. The avalanche, nearly half a kilometer wide, traveled one kilometer downhill. Only an Irish survivor remained from the five-person group, which also included American, Dutch, and Austrian victims.
Multiple Fatalities
Police records show numerous avalanche interventions on Friday, February 20. A separate fatal avalanche occurred in Nauders-Bergkastel, where a 42-year-old German skier died. His 16-year-old son sustained minor injuries and was airlifted to a hospital.
Heavy snowfall has created thick snowpack layers in the Alps, with severe avalanche warnings persisting through the weekend. At least 21 avalanche-related fatalities have been recorded in Austria this winter, according to BBC reports.