Mountain rescue units from ICE-SAR companies on Snæfellsnes peninsula and Reykjavík, as well as a rescue helicopter from the Icelandic Coast Guard were called out yesterday evening after a French woman who is traveling in Iceland fell in the steep cliffs of Mt. Kirkjufell. Kirkjufell is a dangerous hiking destination: Less than a month ago a traveler fell to his death while hiking in the mountain. A second traveler, a Polish woman, fell to her death in the mountain last year.
Read more: Fatal accident in slopes of Mt. Kirkjufell: Foreign traveler fell to his death in sheer cliffs
The National Broadcasting Service RÚV reports that the woman was able to call for assistance herself shortly before 18:00 (6 pm). She was conscious when the first responders arrived. According to the local newspaper Fréttablaðið conditions in the mountain were difficult yesterday: snowfall and very limited visibility. Kirkjufell is a challenging mountain to climb, even for experienced climbers in fair weather. Summitting the mountain requires proper mountaineering equipment and training, and should not be attempted by inexperienced or casual hikers.
The commander of the ICE-SAR company Lífsbjörg from Snæfellsnes told Fréttablaðið that the woman had fallen and slid at least 10 m down the steep mountainside, and had come to a stop at a ledge. She was right on the edge, he added. He said conditions were very difficult for the rescuers, snowfall and limited visibility, which made it difficult to reach the woman. Fortunately the weather cleared up for a moment, allowing the Coast Guard helicopter to approach and airlift the woman from the mountain.
She was taken to Landspítalinn National University Hospital in Reykjavík. She did not sustain any serious injuries in the fall.
Mountain rescue units from ICE-SAR companies on Snæfellsnes peninsula and Reykjavík, as well as a rescue helicopter from the Icelandic Coast Guard were called out yesterday evening after a French woman who is traveling in Iceland fell in the steep cliffs of Mt. Kirkjufell. Kirkjufell is a dangerous hiking destination: Less than a month ago a traveler fell to his death while hiking in the mountain. A second traveler, a Polish woman, fell to her death in the mountain last year.
Read more: Fatal accident in slopes of Mt. Kirkjufell: Foreign traveler fell to his death in sheer cliffs
The National Broadcasting Service RÚV reports that the woman was able to call for assistance herself shortly before 18:00 (6 pm). She was conscious when the first responders arrived. According to the local newspaper Fréttablaðið conditions in the mountain were difficult yesterday: snowfall and very limited visibility. Kirkjufell is a challenging mountain to climb, even for experienced climbers in fair weather. Summitting the mountain requires proper mountaineering equipment and training, and should not be attempted by inexperienced or casual hikers.
The commander of the ICE-SAR company Lífsbjörg from Snæfellsnes told Fréttablaðið that the woman had fallen and slid at least 10 m down the steep mountainside, and had come to a stop at a ledge. She was right on the edge, he added. He said conditions were very difficult for the rescuers, snowfall and limited visibility, which made it difficult to reach the woman. Fortunately the weather cleared up for a moment, allowing the Coast Guard helicopter to approach and airlift the woman from the mountain.
She was taken to Landspítalinn National University Hospital in Reykjavík. She did not sustain any serious injuries in the fall.
