Mountain Rescue in High Tatras Requires International Collaboration
High Tatras, Slovakia – September 2, 2025 – A climber sustained lower limb injuries in a fall today, triggering a complex rescue operation in the High Tatras mountains that necessitated assistance from polish air rescue services. The incident underscores the inherent risks of mountaineering and the critical importance of international cooperation in challenging terrain and deteriorating weather conditions.
The injured climber, part of a couple hiking in the pusté bal area, fell and sustained injuries too the legs. Fortunately, the use of a helmet prevented a serious head injury. Following the initial report, a crew from the High Tatras Regional Center fire brigade was dispatched, transported to the scene by a helicopter emergency medical service (VZZS) from Poprad.
Rescue efforts were immediately complicated by rapidly worsening weather.The VZZS helicopter from Poprad was unable to return to the scene, prompting a request for support from Topr, the Polish mountain rescue service. Topr deployed it’s own helicopters, enabling the fire brigade rescuers and the injured climber to be transported to the Ždiarská cottage. From there, the climber was airlifted to Starý Smokovec for further medical attention.
“The injured man was then handed over to the summoned RZP crew and the other of the couple, who was uninjured, continued separately,” reported the fire brigade, extending gratitude to their colleagues from Topr and the VZZS Poprad crew for their collaborative efforts in the demanding rescue.
