26 rescue missions at the weekend
Last weekend demanded everything from the Air Zermatt rescue crews. While it is high season in the Upper Valais and numerous tourists visit the mountains, Air Zermatt was called upon around the clock. Air Zermatt was called out on a total of 26 missions on Saturday and Sunday by the Cantonal Valais Rescue Organisation (KWRO, emergency number 144). Even during the night, two helicopters were sometimes in operation at the same time.
As soon as the Air Zermatt crews returned to base from a mission, they refuelled, replenished their medical supplies and set off again for the next mission. The spectrum of missions was broad and ranged from mountain accidents and medical emergencies to transfer flights and evacuations of exhausted people.
Three rescues on the Matterhorn on Saturday alone
Air Zermatt was particularly challenged around the Matterhorn. On Saturday alone, the rescue crews had to be deployed there three times. During one of the missions, an alpinist got into difficulties shortly after the ascent. Together with a KWRO rescue specialist, the man was rescued by winch and flown to the hospital in Visp for treatment. His companion made his way back to the valley alone.
Shortly before midday, another mountaineer had an accident on his descent from the Matterhorn. He fell on his back and had to be flown by helicopter to hospital in Sion. In the afternoon, two exhausted people who had climbed up to the Hörnli hut were evacuated from the area.
Outside of the Matterhorn region, the crews also had to deal with intense conditions. On the Obergabelhorn, for example, one person was hit by a falling rock early on Sunday morning and had to be rescued using a hoist. The injured person was also flown to hospital in Sion.
Winch rescue as a key technique in the mountains
The majority of the operations at the weekend had to be carried out using the rescue winch. This is a procedure that often has no alternative in alpine terrain. Where there is no suitable landing option for the helicopter, Air Zermatt relies on precise coordination between pilots, paramedics and rescue specialists. The rescuers hang from a steel cable up to 90 metres below the hovering helicopter; a procedure that requires maximum concentration, routine and teamwork.
Many night missions for the ambulance service
It wasn't just the helicopter crews that were in constant use this weekend, Air Zermatt's ambulance service was also very busy. During the night from Saturday to Sunday, the team was constantly on the move to help people in need.
Firefighting operation on Sunday evening
On Sunday afternoon, Air Zermatt was also called out to a fire-fighting operation in the Rhone Valley. A wildfire had broken out near the roundabout at the Raron motorway exit in the direction of Gampel. Together with the local fire brigade, the Air Zermatt crew assisted in fighting the fire from the air. With targeted water drops, the helicopter helped to contain the spread of the fire.
