Status: 05.11.2023, 19:15 PM
CommentsShare
Successful rescue: Helpers from the DLRG and the water rescue service brought the rowing boat to the shore. Some of the five occupants suffered from severe hypothermia, and one had to be taken to hospital. © DLRG Pöcking-Starnberg
Five rowers were rescued from mortal danger on Sunday afternoon after they capsized on Lake Starnberg. One man was taken to the hospital.
Possenhofen – Water rescuers were able to rescue five people from acute danger to their lives in the middle of Lake Starnberg on Sunday afternoon. A rowing boat belonging to a Starnberg club had capsized, as the DLRG Pöcking-Starnberg announced. One occupant had to be taken to hospital by the emergency doctor, all five suffered hypothermia.
As DLRG chairman Walter Kohlenz explained, the boat was in distress in the middle of the lake due to the strong wind and waves. "All five rowers fell overboard and were in the water, which was about twelve degrees cold, wearing only sportswear and without life jackets," he explained – a life-threatening situation. For this reason, in addition to the DLRG and its divers, the control centre alerted the Feldafing, Starnberg, Tutzing and Seeburg water rescue services, two rescue helicopters, two other emergency doctors, six ambulances – two of which were volunteered by the BRK Starnberg standby service – the Pöcking fire brigade and the police. The storm warning did not run – it is not in operation at Lake Starnberg between November and March. However, there were severe weather warnings for gale force winds on Sunday afternoon.
Appeal: Remember to bring safety equipment
First, a DLRG boat was at the scene of the accident and was able to rescue all five rowers, all a little older, from the water. They were immediately taken to the DLRG station in Possenhofen and treated there. "All patients contracted significant hypothermia," Kohlenz reported. DLRG and Wasserwacht Feldafing then took over the salvage of the boat.
In this context, the DLRG once again urged all water sports enthusiasts to only go out on the lake if they were appropriately trained and, in particular, properly equipped depending on the weather. "In the current season, this also means, among other things, suitable clothing (for example neoprene) and always wearing a life jacket," says Kohlenz.
Rescuers only had a few minutes
Oliver Jauch, spokesman for the district water rescue service, added: "With wind speeds sometimes exceeding 30 km/h and thus wind force 5 to 6 and corresponding waves, the foursome with helmsman capsized at the height of the Paradies bathing area. With a paddle and cries for help, the rowers drew attention to themselves, so that walkers could call for help via emergency call. The Fürstenfeldbruck Integrated Control Centre then set a large number of rescue teams in motion." There wasn't much time for the rescue, because at the current water temperature, a few minutes in the water are enough for you to lose consciousness from hypothermia. As a rule of thumb, after a fall into cold water, there is just one minute for every degree of water temperature to survive.
However, almost all emergency services were surprised by the timing of the alarm – after all, it is assumed that no athletes will be on the lake between November and March due to the Ramsar Convention for the Protection of Waterfowl. Lake Starnberg should be left to waterfowl in the winter months, as the migratory birds, some of which have travelled far and wide, need peace and quiet in order to be able to maintain their vital energy reserves. "Regardless of this, we strongly advise water sports enthusiasts to only pursue their sport with sufficient equipment. In addition to weather- and temperature-adapted (water sports) clothing, this definitely includes a fainting-proof life jacket, especially in colder water temperatures," Jauch also explained.