Helicopter crashes near the Fanes refuge, pilot seriously injured
A frightening afternoon shook the mountains of South Tyrol yesterday, Wednesday, October 22nd. Around 6:00 PM, a helicopter from the Cortina Air Service Center, piloted by a 51-year-old Trentino man, crashed for reasons yet to be determined near the Fanes refuge, between the Badia and Puster Valleys.
The impact was violent. The pilot, seriously injured, was rescued and rushed by helicopter to the hospital in Bolzano. Fortunately, his injuries are not life-threatening.
Difficult rescue efforts amidst darkness and mountains
The rescue operations proved extremely complex. A massive deployment of forces—firefighters, Carabinieri, mountain rescue, and financial police helicopters—was mobilized to locate the crash site and reach the pilot.
With dusk now falling and the area enveloped in pitch darkness, the teams had to use powerful headlights and night vision goggles to locate the aircraft. Further complicating the operation was the total lack of telephone signal.
After moments of great tension and relentless work, the rescuers finally managed to recover the pilot and bring him to safety. A reassuring end to a day that could have turned tragic.
