Tragic Tobogganing Accident: Munich Student Dies on Ski Slope in Salzburg
Salzburg, February 16, 2026 – A 13-year-old student from Munich has tragically died and a second remains seriously injured in hospital following a tobogganing accident in Austria. The incident occurred during a winter sports camp in the Salzburg region, with new details emerging about the circumstances of the accident.
According to Austrian police, the two 13-year-olds were tobogganing on a ski slope rather than the designated toboggan run, confirmed a police spokeswoman in Salzburg to the dpa news agency. The girls, who were part of a student group from Munich on a winter sports trip, reportedly left the toboggan run on Thursday and ventured onto a ski slope with their sled.
Girls Deviated from Designated Toboggan Run
Wolfgang Hofer, a board member of Rauriser Hochalmbahnen, described the area as a steep slope. It remains unclear whether the girls accidentally or intentionally entered the red-marked, medium-difficulty ski slope. The police spokeswoman stated that the girls failed to arrive at an agreed meeting point on the toboggan run.
The students veered off the slope and collided with a tree. One of the 13-year-olds fell several meters into a steep wooded area. She later succumbed to her severe injuries at a hospital in Salzburg. The other student was also seriously injured and airlifted to a hospital in Schwarzach. Her condition is reported as stable, but she is expected to remain hospitalized for several more days, according to a hospital spokesperson.
Condolences from Ski Lift Operator
Wolfgang Hofer expressed profound sadness over the incident, stating, “It is very tragic.” The Rauriser Hochalmbahnen company extended its deepest sympathies to the families of the victims in a statement. They confirmed that rescue operations were immediately launched after the accident, with emergency helicopters transporting the girls to the hospitals.
This tragic event highlights the importance of adhering to designated areas and safety regulations in winter sports resorts. Investigations into the exact circumstances of how the girls ended up on the ski slope are ongoing.
Source: https://www.br.de/nachrichten/bayern/toedlicher-rodelunfall-maedchen-aus-muenchen-fuhren-auf-skipiste,VBPGWoZ
