A 42-year-old British man fell 300 feet to his death in Austria after slipping off a ladder bridge on a mountain that is popular among tourists for its picturesque views and Instagram-worthy photos, reports the New York Post.
The man was alone on the 130-foot ladder on September 12, 2023, when he encountered difficulties and fell into the valley below. The ladder connects the lower portion of the Donnerkogel mountain to the Großer Donnerkogel, or
“Greater”
part of the mountain, which includes the 6,740-foot peak.
Investigators ruled the man’s death an accident and ruled out any third-party negligence. The ladder is promoted as the
“new TOP attraction on the Zwieselalm for climbing enthusiasts”
by the Dachstein region tourist website, which notes that the climb is done in four stages with the ladder waiting
“as the ultimate adrenaline kick.”
The climb is listed as a via ferrata, or
“iron path,”
a climb that uses steel cables, rungs, pegs, and ladders that climbers are attached to via harness for their safety. However, even with safety precautions in place, accidents can still happen. This tragedy is a reminder that it is important to be aware of the risks involved in any outdoor activity, especially when climbing on challenging terrain.
