Daring Rescue Operation Executed from the South Tower of Stephansdom
In an unexpected turn of events, a rescue operation took place at the Vienna Stephansdom on Friday afternoon. A tourist, who had climbed the south tower, found herself in a medical emergency within the tower room.
The Vienna Fire Department swiftly sprang into action, with a trained high-angle rescuer lowering the tourist over the bell tower using a battery-powered winch and two ropes. A secure point was first attached to a hook in the tower room, ensuring the safety of both the rescuer and the tourist.
Preparations for such operations are meticulous. Equipment with high factors of safety, such as rescue hooks, is used to handle loads well beyond the expected maximum, preventing failure during rescue operations. Responders are also trained to avoid direct risky entry, using tools like hooks to reach or stabilize victims without exposing rescuers unnecessarily.
Communication and coordination are crucial components of these operations. Emergency services use reliable communication means, often supported by the towers themselves, to coordinate rescues effectively and safely. A 'reach or throw, don’t go' approach is common, where tools like hooks or flotation devices extend reach to victims instead of putting rescuers directly in harm’s way.
The Vienna Professional Rescue Service was not available for a statement at the time of the report. However, the fire department spokesman, Gerald Schimpf, confirmed that the tourist was treated on solid ground and recovered quickly after the operation. According to current information, the tourist did not need to be taken to the hospital.
It's worth noting that while detailed statistics on tower rescues using hooks are scarce, such techniques are a recognised emergency method supported by specialized equipment with stringent safety margins and comprehensive responder training. They are particularly common in urban search and rescue (USAR), fire departments, and other first responders.
In a separate incident, a woman was beaten and raped by her husband, but the police did not take her seriously. This fact is not related to the rescue operation at the Vienna Stephansdom and is not included in the bullet points.
The tourist had climbed 343 steps to reach the tower room before experiencing the medical emergency. Despite the challenging circumstances, the operation was a success, demonstrating the dedication and expertise of the Vienna Fire Department in such situations.
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