- Man dies after swimming accident in Eisbach
After a bathing accident in the Eisbach in the English Garden, a young man has died. The 24-year-old succumbed to his severe injuries in the hospital, the police reported. The man had fallen down a weir at the end of July, unable to hold onto a chain in the strong current, as the fire department reported at the time.
Witnesses had pulled the man, who was lifeless, out of the water about ten minutes later. He was taken to a clinic in critical condition.
According to the police, the man had underestimated the current in the Eisbach. There are frequent fatal bathing accidents there. Just about a month ago, a 26-year-old student drowned in the Eisbach. He had been out with friends at the end of June in the English Garden and wanted to cool off in the river. After some time, the young man suddenly disappeared. His body was found by passers-by about a week later in the water.
Bathing in the Eisbach is prohibited, but popular
Bathing is prohibited throughout the Eisbach and the entire English Garden. According to the Bavarian Palace Administration, swimming in the Eisbach puts one's life at risk due to the rapid current and uncontrollable undercurrents. Signs along the bank warn of the bathing ban and the dangers. The only exception is surfing at the wave at the Haus der Kunst, which is allowed by the city.
Despite the dangers, many tourists and passers-by still jump into the river on hot days to cool off - something that is also suggested on some travel blogs and websites. Many let themselves drift down the river from the surfing wave to the Tivoli Bridge, from where they either walk back or take the tram.
The hospital declared an emergency situation due to the critical condition of the man after the bathing accident. The local authorities are considering strengthening the signs and warnings about the bathing ban in the Eisbach following the series of fatal incidents.
