Prince Johan Friso: Tragic discovery - years after the fatal accident

Created: 02/15/2022, 11:39 am

By: Eva-Maria Moosmüller

Ten years ago, Prince Johan Friso was buried by an avalanche while skiing.

A tragic find near the scene of the accident is now reopening old wounds.

Lech – On February 17, 2012, the terrible accident happened that would change the lives of the Dutch royals forever.

Prince Johan Friso (44, † 2013) was buried by an avalanche while skiing in Lech am Arlberg, Austria.

A year and a half later, Mabel Wisse Smit's husband (53) succumbed to his injuries.

An extraordinary discovery is now bringing back the painful memories.

Prince Johan Friso: Mabel Wisse Smit is again confronted with the accident

Prince Johan Friso's life was taken far too early at the age of 44.

After being buried by an avalanche while skiing, it took 20 minutes for him to be freed from the masses of snow.

The damage to his brain was already irreversible at this point.

After further attempts at treatment, King Willem-Alexander's (54) brother finally died in August 2013 at Huis ten Bosch Castle.

Friso is survived by his wife Mabel and two daughters, Luana (16) and Zaria (15).

Ten years after the avalanche accident, a dramatic find is now making headlines, which is likely to make things difficult for Princess Beatrix (84) and Mabel Wisse Smit.

Prince Johan Friso on Queen's Day 2007 - five years later the terrible avalanche accident happened.

© ANP/Imago

Prince Johan Friso: return of the misfortune skis to Mabel Wisse Smit?

As reported by the Dutch broadcaster NOS, a ski worn by Prince Johan Friso in his accident was discovered near the scene of the accident - two years ago!

At the time, a friend pointed out to the finder, Michael Manhart, what the most likely cause of the find was.

Manhart initially left the ski behind - "I thought it belonged in this place," explained the ski lift manager, who is well-known beyond the borders of Lech, to AD.

However, when he later found out that local residents had simply taken the board away, he felt compelled to act.

"I told them, 'It's not a souvenir, just give it to me,'" Manhart said.

Princess Beatrix and Mabel Wisse Smit helped each other through the difficult time after Friso's accident (symbol image).

© Tobias Hase/dpa

Now he wants to give the Ski Friso's relatives back the next time they come to Lech for their traditional winter holiday.

"I will tell your bodyguards that I have found the ski and want to give it to Friso's next of kin," NOS quoted the Austrian as saying.

If the royal family doesn't accept it, he wants to destroy it: "I don't think it's an object that you could put in a glass case."

How the Dutch palace reacted to the find is not yet known.