Night Rescue in Tatra Mountains Ends Tragically for Tourist

In a dramatic overnight operation in the Tatra Mountains of Poland, the Tatra Voluntary Rescue Service (TOPR) located three Lithuanian tourists who had been reported missing. The search, which unfolded during the night of September 27, 2024, involved a team of 44 rescuers and a Polish PZL W-3 Sokół helicopter, a medium-sized aircraft designed and built in Poland capable of carrying significant cargo and passengers.

The tourists, three women, were hiking in the Świnica region when they lost their way. Local authorities from both Slovak and Polish sides initiated the search after receiving the distress call. Despite the challenging conditions and the complexity of the terrain, the rescue team managed to find all three hikers by the morning of September 28.

Tragically, one of the women was found unconscious with severe hypothermia at the Liliowa mountain passage, her body temperature perilously low at 21 degrees Celsius. TOPR rescuer Piotr Konopka reported that she was “deeply chilled and unconscious” when found, and rescuers immediately worked to warm her up at the scene. Despite efforts to stabilize her, she later died after being transported to a hospital in Krakow. The rescue involved transferring her by cable car to Kuznica and then by helicopter to the hospital, where she succumbed after two hours of resuscitation attempts.

The other two women were found alive near a hiking path. One was hospitalized in Zakopane due to her condition, while the other, who was in good health, was taken to a shelter. The survivors were reportedly unprepared for the mountainous environment, lacking adequate gear and warm clothing, which are essential for the harsh weather conditions often encountered in the Tatra Mountains.

This incident highlights the critical importance of being well-prepared when hiking in challenging mountain regions. It also underscores the risks involved in such expeditions and the heroic efforts of rescue teams like TOPR who respond to emergencies in extreme conditions. The operation not only demonstrates the capabilities of Polish rescue services but also serves as a somber reminder of the dangers of mountain hiking, especially without proper preparation and equipment.

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