British Families Amoung Those Rescued by Helicopter in Austrian Alps
16th August 2026
A group of hikers with small children, including infants in pushchairs, became stranded on steep ground above the Otztal Valley in the Tirol. They have been sharply criticised and ordered to pay for their rescue. NEW
36 people from three families needed to be rescued according to Tirol.orf.at
They came from the UK, Austria, Belgium and the USA.
They took a chairlift to 2,350m and then got into difficulty as they left the marked paths on a hike.
It is reported they were ill-equipped and two children were infants under two years old.
The police said they had “virtually no” suitable equipment.
The group left the marked path and ended up on steep and difficult terrain.
They reached an exposed section and called the rescue services.
It is reported one small boy was found holding onto a rock just half a meter from a sheer cliff face.
14 people were winched by helicopter to safety and 22 were guided down the mountain on foot by the rescue authorities.
No one was injured.
The families are being ordered to foot the bill for their rescue.
Under Austrian law people must pay for their rescue when the emergency is caused by inadequate preparation or negligence.
The bill is expected to be at least €18,150 (£15,500).
Rescue officials said the terrain was completely unsuitable for babies in pushchairs.
The authorities are urging all people who head into the mountains to be prepared for the activities they are undertaking.
It follows another incident where climbers on Mt Blanc had to pay for their own helicopter rescue as they went against advice while attempting to climb the mountain.
