The Red Cross at Königssee experiences “curious stories” in abundance. But the behavior of Bavarian hikers apparently marked a new high point for the rescuers.
Schönau am Königssee - vacation in Corona times - that is a hot topic. Both when it comes to long-distance travel with high levels of infection and when it comes to vacationing in the most beautiful corners of home. Last but not least, the Bavarian Oberland is groaning under the load of day trippers.
According to their own account, the volunteers of the BRK water rescue service in the picturesque Berchtesgadener Land can also tell "all sorts of curious stories" . An incident on Wednesday evening (August 19) amazed the rescuers in particular, as can be clearly seen from their description: A tourist family not only challenged fate on their alpine hike - they then also missed their Königssee boat . And almost took up the next adventurous plan.
Königssee: Bavarian hikers with children and in sandals and slippers - then the last boat leaves
The couple from Upper Palatinate , 32 and 43 years old, went hiking with a four-year-old child in the Berchtesgaden Alps , on a challenging path from the Archenkanzel over the Rinnkendlsteig, as announced by the Bavarian Red Cross . Then the hikers apparently wanted to spend the night outdoors with the child and without food or accommodation - before they dialed 112 and made an emergency call from Sankt Bartholomä .
The previous descent in the alpine terrain was not without danger, as the hikers only wore sandals and plastic slippers instead of good shoes . When they arrived at the boat dock on the west side of the Königsee, the last boat back had already cast off. "They first asked a fisherman what a single trip back would cost, but that was too expensive for them," said a spokesman.
Bavaria: Risky excursion with a four-year-old child - the water rescue service has to come at the end
After they reportedly briefly considered spending the night in a meadow under the open sky, they finally called the water watch for help.
"We are glad that nothing happened to the people in their sandals when they descended the exposed and dangerous path and that they did not spend the night with the small child without equipment and provisions," said the head of the water rescue service. His people were supposedly on duty for a good hour.
Alpine dangers in Upper Bavaria: Rescuers warn day trippers - if in doubt, get help
The rescuers also had a good tip and a strong warning for potential imitators . On the one hand, it is important to read the timetable and plan enough buffers not to miss the last boat. But more important: “Around the Königssee , handicapped-accessible hiking trails flow smoothly into alpine and fall-prone terrain; if you are not equipped and trained enough for this, you should turn back in time, ”they explained. Nobody should play the hero. "The emergency services would rather rescue an uninjured person from a mountain emergency than a seriously injured person who has fallen."
After all, a father's ambitious excursion plan at the Alpspitze only caused harmless laughs: an experienced hiker filmed his struggle with terrain and a pram. In Würzburg, a man attacked his work colleague with a hammer and beat him to hospital. ( fn / dpa )