Avalanche
An avalanche near the Gerschnialp above Engelberg, Switzerland, prompted a swift air-rescue response on Thursday, November 27, after two freeriders were caught and swept downhill approximately 100 meters (~300 feet). According to a report from Rega, Switzerland’s national helicopter rescue service, the avalanche was triggered shortly before 1:30 p.m., when the pair descended off-piste in the Laub freeride terrain near the popular ski resort. The region had seen nearly 1 meter of snow (3 feet) in the last three days.
A witness who saw the avalanche break from the Gerschnialp immediately alerted Rega via the emergency number 1414, allowing rescuers to mobilize within minutes. Rega’s operations manager dispatched the helicopter crew from the Erstfeld base, along with avalanche dog handlers and mountain rescuers from Alpine Rescue Switzerland.
Upon arrival, the helicopter crew located the two skiers and freed them from the avalanche debris. One was uninjured; the other sustained a minor injury and was flown to the nearest appropriate hospital after receiving initial medical care on-site.
Because it was unclear whether additional people might have been buried, emergency teams conducted a thorough search of the avalanche cone. After completing the sweep, responders confirmed no other individuals were involved.
Rega noted that its rapid deployment and coordinated work with Alpine Rescue Switzerland ensured a “comprehensive and efficient” response to the incident.
