High-Altitude Rescue at Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral: Tourist Rappelled Down from the Tower

A 61-year-old tourist had to be rescued by the Vienna professional fire brigade from the south tower after she had climbed the 343 steps to the watchman's room with a group of visitors to enjoy the view over the federal capital. Upon reaching the top, the woman suffered a "medical emergency," explained fire brigade spokesman Gerald Schimpf.

Tourist in Vienna suffered "medical emergency": High-altitude rescue at St. Stephen's Cathedral

Since the woman was no longer able to make the return journey due to circulatory issues, it was decided in consultation with the professional rescue service to bring her to safety by a trained high-altitude rescuer from the fire brigade. In the watchman's room, a so-called safety anchor point was first attached to a hook on the ceiling for this purpose, Schimpf explained in an interview with APA. Then the necessary technical equipment and two ropes - one for securing - were set up, and the weakened woman and her rescuer were lowered down the bell tower using a battery-powered winch.

On safe ground, the 61-year-old was given initial care by a team from the professional rescue service. She had suffered a circulatory collapse, Daniel Melcher, the spokesman for the professional rescue service, told APA. The woman was taken to a hospital for medical evaluation.

(APA/Red)

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