On Sunday afternoon, a couple from Vienna and their children (9 and 13 years old) went on a hike on the Rax (Bruck-Mürzzuschlag district) in deep winter conditions. The family got lost as darkness fell and the fog was heavy. Mountain rescuers were able to bring the hikers into the valley unharmed.
A family from Vienna did not start a mountain tour on the Rax until around 3 p.m. on Sunday. The 47-year-old, his wife (43) and their children (9 and 13 years) got lost in the dark around 6.30 p.m. The alpine terrain was characterized by deep wintry conditions: fresh snow, strong wind, fog and danger of avalanches. When the family didn’t know what to do next, they made an emergency call. Using GPS coordinates provided, mountain rescuers and alpine police were able to find the four Viennese, guide them to a marked descent path and finally accompany them from about 1,800 meters above sea level into the valley. Parents and children were slightly hypothermic but uninjured. The Leoben public prosecutor is now assessing whether the parents acted negligently.
source site-12