[PHOTOS] Unknown Driver Flips Car onto Ski Slope at Kronplatz, Italy, & Flees the Scene

On Saturday evening, December 21, 2024, the Kronplatz Ski Area in Italy, renowned for its picturesque slopes and status as a key destination for World Cup skiing, became the site of an unexpected and bizarre event. An off-road vehicle, a Land Rover with a test license plate, was discovered overturned on the “Korer Express” slope, leaving local authorities and witnesses puzzled.

The incident occurred near the valley station of the Korer cable car around 7:00 p.m., prompting a swift response from the Reischach volunteer fire brigade. Upon arrival, emergency personnel found the vehicle on its roof, but the occupants were nowhere to be seen. Eyewitnesses reported seeing several individuals climb out of the vehicle and flee the scene. Authorities believe the occupants escaped with no serious injuries.

The circumstances leading to the vehicle’s presence on the ski slope remain unclear. Fire brigade commander Michael Mairhofer suggested two possibilities: the vehicle may have strayed from a higher parking lot onto the slope, or it was deliberately driven onto the slope to test its performance under extreme conditions. Heavy snowfall had obscured potential evidence, leaving few tracks for investigators to follow. The vehicle, lacking a regular license plate, bore only a note and a sample plate inside, which police hope will help identify the owner.

The recovery operation was carried out with the assistance of the Kronplatz Seilbahn GmbH, whose runway machinery played a crucial role in removing the vehicle. In addition to the fire brigade, the local police from Bruneck, the White Cross Bruneck, and a towing service were involved in the response. The night skiing planned for the affected slope had to be postponed while crews completed cleanup efforts.

The incident has drawn significant attention due to its location at Kronplatz, a celebrated ski resort in South Tyrol. Nestled in the heart of the Dolomites, Kronplatz is known not only for its diverse terrain and world-class facilities but also for hosting pivotal FIS World Cup races. The resort’s reputation as a premier winter sports destination makes this unusual event all the more surprising.

As investigations continue, local police are focusing on unraveling the mystery of how the Land Rover came to rest on the ski slope and identifying the occupants who fled the scene. In the meantime, the resort has resumed normal operations, with skiers once again enjoying its pristine slopes—albeit with a new story to share from the mountain.

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