Man heads to Sljeme and gets injured: Rescue operation lasted seven hours

The rescue operation for a hiker who headed to Sljeme, injuring his spine and becoming trapped in the snow, lasted from 3 PM to 9 PM on Saturday, reports the Bosnian news agency Patria.

The man was trapped in deep snow from 3 PM, but managed to call the rescue service.

After the call to the duty phone, rescuers from the Zagreb Station launched an urgent and extensive operation. A major problem was the daylight, and most of the operation was carried out in the dark. Despite unfavorable conditions on the trail, along with a drop in air temperature, the rescuers managed to reach the injured man.

The rescuers were additionally loaded with stretchers, ropes and medical equipment, and climbed through deep snow.

Around 5 PM, the first group descending from the top managed to locate the injured person in the snow. The second group with equipment soon climbed through the forest. After warming up and immobilization, a grueling transport on foot with stretchers began, as no vehicle or motorized sled could pass through the snowdrifts.

This was followed by 4 hours of breaking through the forest and deep snow. Transport through the pitch-dark, snow-covered forest was possible thanks to the use of GPS and the HGSS-marked routes entered into it, other rescuer equipment, and their readiness and ability.

As soon as they descended to the road, the injured person was taken over by emergency services. The Mountain Rescue Service warns not to go to the mountain alone and without adequate equipment.