- Man falls into ice stream - seriously injured
A young man underestimated the current while swimming in Munich's Eisbach and plunged over a weir at the diving park. He sustained severe injuries and was unable to grab onto a chain, according to the fire department. The man then disappeared under the water and did not resurface.
Downstream, near the Tivoli power station, passersby pulled the lifeless man from the water about ten minutes later, a police spokesman said. Rescue workers began CPR and took him to a hospital, where his condition is reported to be critical.
The 28-year-old companion of the man was also in the water, police said. He managed to save himself but was unable to rescue his friend. Due to the shock, he was attended to by psychologists.
Witnesses who observed the accident immediately called the fire department, which deployed a large contingent to the English Garden. Using a ladder truck and poles, rescue workers attempted to search the water. A helicopter was also deployed.
Accidents in the Eisbach are not uncommon.
Just about a month ago, a 26-year-old student drowned in the Eisbach. He was with friends on the last weekend in 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 walkers in the water about a week later.
Despite the dangers, many tourists and walkers plunge into the river on hot days to cool off, allowing themselves to be carried along by the current below the surfer's wave to the Trivoli bridge.
Swimming in the Eisbach is prohibited.
Swimming is prohibited throughout the Eisbach and the entire English Garden. According to the Bavarian Palace Administration, swimming in the Eisbach poses a life-threatening risk due to the strong current and uncontrollable undertows. Signs along the bank warn of the ban and the dangers. The only exception is surfing at the wave near the House of Art, which is permitted by the city.
The rescuers continued their search for any signs of the missing swimmer, focusing their efforts around the strong currents and undercurrents near the Eisbach. Despite the risks, some individuals still ignored the ban and jumped into the water to cool off, unaware of the potential consequences.
