Avalanche
A tourist was rescued alive after being buried under an avalanche for seven hours in Norway’s Lyngen municipality. The Wednesday, March 19 incident amazed rescue teams and avalanche experts.
The man, described as being in his forties or fifties, was found conscious under approximately 1.5 meters (5 feet) of snow shortly after midnight. He managed to survive in an air pocket, from which he could contact the police.
- Related: Swiss Research Shows 10% Jump in Avalanche Survival and 45% Faster Rescues in Last 40 Years
“People who land under an avalanche usually suffocate within ten minutes,” said Audun Hetland, an avalanche researcher at the Arctic University of Norway, in an interview with iTromsø. “Some survive longer, but seven hours is almost unique.”
- Related: Study Finds Avalanche Victims With Long Burial Times (≥60 Min) Have Only 19% Chance of Survival
Kristian Midtgard, the dog handler who, along with his canine partner Whiskey, located the man, expressed his astonishment to TV2: “It was very surprising that he was still alive. All the statistics and experience say that it’s not possible when you stay buried for so long.”
The rescued tourist was one of three foreign skiers touring an area where authorities had issued high avalanche risk warnings. Another group member was swept into a fjord by the avalanche but managed to reach shore and alert authorities.
As of Thursday, March 20, search efforts continue for the third member of the group, a woman in her fifties identified as a Slovenian citizen, who is now presumed dead.
The avalanche rating at the time was high, or 4 out of 5 on the danger scale, with the forecaster warning, “Natural dry slab avalanches are expected due to heavy snowfall and wind. Avalanches can hit exposed infrastructure or settlements. Avoid avalanche terrain.”
A study published in 2021 examined the survival rates of avalanche victims buried for 60 minutes or longer in Switzerland between 1997 and 2018. The research, which analyzed 140 cases, found that only 19% of victims survived long burials. Survival probability decreased slightly with longer burial times, from 23% after 60 minutes to less than 6% after 1,400 minutes. The study also noted that those who died were typically buried deeper (40 inches/100 centimeters vs 28 inches/70 centimeters for survivors). Despite the low overall survival rate, the researchers emphasized the importance of continued rescue efforts, recommending that victims in cardiac arrest after long burials should be treated for hypothermia with cardiopulmonary resuscitation and potential extracorporeal rewarming.
The Lyngen Alps, where the accident occurred, are a renowned destination for backcountry skiing, drawing experienced skiers from around the world. The rugged peaks and deep fjords provide breathtaking terrain, but also pose significant avalanche risks, particularly in unstable conditions. Despite official warnings, the group had ventured into an avalanche-prone area near Lyngenfjord.
