Categories: World

British tourist falls 300 feet to his death from Austria mountain ladder popular on Instagram: report

close Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for September 19

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what’s clicking on Foxnews.com.

A British tourist has plummeted 300 feet to his death in Austria while climbing an aerial ladder that is popular in Instagram photos, reports say. 

The 42-year-old — whose name has not been publicly revealed — plunged into a valley in the Dachstein Mountains near Salzburg, Austria, last Tuesday, according to the Mirror. 

The website reported that two helicopter crews and multiple police officers rushed to the scene after the man fell off the end of a 120-foot-long ladder known as a via ferrata, which climbers can traverse between cliff faces. 

The individual reportedly was alone on the ladder, and those investigating the fall have ruled out third party negligence as a cause, The Mirror also said. 

COLORADO SOLO CLIMBER, 29, FOUND DEAD AT OFFICERS GULCH IN SUMMIT COUNTY, OFFICIALS SAY 

The aerial ladder in Austria that the British tourist, not pictured, reportedly fell off from last week. (iStock)

“According to the conclusion of the police investigation, it is clearly an accident,” the website also quoted a police spokesperson as telling The Daily Mail. 

The ladder on the Grosser Donnerkogel mountain, which has an elevation of 6,739 feet, is described on a Dachstein tourism website as being the “ultimate adrenaline kick” and the “highlight of every climbing tour.” 

“The new 40-metre panoramic sky ladder is the new TOP attraction [in] the Zwieselalm [region] for climbing enthusiasts. Free-floating, the 40-meter-long sky ladder takes you over a deep gorge up to the ‘Donnermandel’. Pure thrills!” it continues. 

“In addition to an adrenaline kick, the climbing tour offers a fantastic view of the Dachstein Glacier, the surrounding mountains and the entire Gosau Valley,” the website also says. 

SCOTTISH CLIMBER, 80-YEAR-OLD, DIES AFTER FALLING FROM 3,000-FOOT MOUNTAIN 

The tourist from Britain fell 300 feet to his death from the ladder, according to reports. (iStock)

In 2020, gymnast Stefanie Millinger, who describes herself as an “extreme athlete” on her Instagram account, posted a video online of her hanging onto the ladder with just one hand while performing. 

AVA, an excursions company that offers via ferrata hikes in Colorado, says the ladders allow “people with limited mountaineering experience to traverse mountainous areas that would otherwise be challenging or inaccessible.  

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP 

“For this reason, they are commonly found in alpine regions, especially in Europe and North America,” it says. “Via Ferratas can vary in length, with shorter routes only taking around an hour, and longer routes demanding more time and physical agility.” 

Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.

Share

Recent Posts

Trump names several new White House picks to work on AI, crypto and more: ‘America First Patriots’

President-elect Donald Trump unleashed a slew of nominations on Sunday night, naming several new people…

5 hours ago

Trump nominates Callista Gingrich as U.S. ambassador to Switzerland, announces other picks

President-elect Trump on Sunday named Callista Gingrich, wife to former Speaker of the House Newt…

5 hours ago

China warns US to stop arming Taiwan after Biden approves $571M in military aid

China has warned the U.S. that it is making "dangerous moves" by providing Taiwan with…

5 hours ago

NYPD arrests migrant who allegedly set woman on fire on subway train, watched her burn to death

close Video Tyrus 'could not be prouder' of NYC mayor after meeting with incoming 'border…

7 hours ago

Prankster arrested after reportedly filming himself spraying food at Walmart: ‘Reckless’

close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for December 22 Fox News Flash top headlines…

9 hours ago

Woman dies after being set on fire while sleeping on NYC subway train: police

close Video Tyrus 'could not be prouder' of NYC mayor after meeting with incoming 'border…

9 hours ago