Thanks to Bergschlawiner of the MRA International Committee and Seattle Mountain Rescue for sending in this story.
WHO: 52-year-old German woman from Worms (not with worms)
WHERE: On the German-Austrian Border Near Mittenwald
HER MISTAKE: Bad luck, ruled an accident by the police.
WHAT HAPPENED: A 52-year-old German woman and her dog took a hike Monday from Mittenwald on the German-Austrian border area.
There was a dramatic turn of events on Tuesday evening at 9:00 pm when a mountain hut keeper from Unterleutasch notified the Bergrettung that he could hear a dog howling in the area, however at 10:40 p.m., the search had to be stopped due to the darkness and avalanche danger.
The search for the howling dog continued on Tuesday morning with a helicopter and at 12:40 p.m. not only the dog was found but also a lifeless woman’s body was spotted on the south side of the Grünkopf (shown in the photo below on the left with the Wetterstein in the background) at 1,350 meters elevation.
They were below a cliff in a snow-filled gully. Since the body was found on the Tyrolean side of the border, Austrian police investigated and reported that the woman died of internal trauma and severe head injuries. The dog was not injured. Police ruled out any suspicious circumstances because only the woman and her dog’s tracks were found at the scene.
THE RESCUERS: Bergrettung Leutasch has a team of about 30 mountain rescue volunteers
Feb.3,2009 – Good News!!!
Dead Hiker’s Dog Finds New Home
Good news! The Labrador retriever “Sky” has a new home! “Sky’s” owner fell to her death eight days ago while snowshoing in the Leutasch. “Sky” was rescued the next day but none of the deceased lady’s immediate family had any interest in taking “Sky.” Lots of dog lovers showed an interest in adopting “Sky” who was staying temporaily three days with the Bergrettung Dr. Oswald Heis. Heis wanted someone who was able to give the dog the activity he needed and picked a Tyrolean couple who are avid touring skiers for “Sky’s” new home. You can see a PHOTO OF SKY of “Sky” and Dr. Heis.