Avalanche
A group of speed flyers became unlikely heroes last week week after spotting another speed flyer who became injured in an avalanche below the Monte Bianco Skyway near Courmayeur, Italy. The victim, an Australian man in his 30s, had broken his femur and was unable to move when the flyers swooped in to help. It’s unclear whether the man was speed flying with the other speed flyers or if was solo that day.
According to video shared on Instagram, the speed flyers saw the slide from above and immediately descended to the scene. They conducted a beacon search and after confirming the man’s condition, they called for helicopter assistance and stabilized him until a rescue team arrived.
Friend of the injured man and fellow speed flyer Ioana Hanganu told SnowBrains that he was airlifted to a hospital in Aosta before being transferred to Milan, where he underwent surgery on his leg in the following days. No other injuries were reported. In a post reflecting on the event, one of the rescuers shared a personal checklist: “Always take beacon, shovel, and probe. Always have a first aid kit. Always take telescopic poles.”
The rescue served as a sobering reminder that preparation can make all the difference—both for yourself and for the people you might end up saving.
