The accident occurred on Friday before noon, when the tourist was descending from the Terygo Shelter in the Slovak High Tatras, located at an altitude of 2,015 m above sea level in the Mala Cold Water Valley. The man tried to cross the Mała Zimna Woda stream flowing from Wielki Staw Spiš, which was swollen after heavy rainfall. According to HZS rescuers, the 41-year-old slipped and fell into the water, then, carried away by a strong current, he disappeared under the surface.
Where did the tragic accident occur?
Who participated in the rescue operation?
What were the weather conditions like during the search?
What happened to the tourist after falling into the stream?
Due to difficult weather conditions, the helicopter could not be used in the operation. Slovak mountain rescuers searched the stream bed on foot, supported by a drone operator and TOPR rescuers from Zakopane, who were asked for help. The search was carried out until late Friday night, but without results.
On Saturday morning, the action was resumed with the participation of guides with rescue dogs and TOPR rescuers again. The body of the missing person was found before noon, when the stream waters receded, thanks to the help of random tourists.
After Friday's snowfall in the Tatra Mountains, the first level of avalanche danger was announced, which applies from an altitude of 1,800 m above sea level. Rescuers warn that it is dangerous in many places, especially in gullies and concave formations.
