A 60-year-old American tourist from Colorado survived a dramatic 40-meter (130-foot) fall down a rocky slope in the mountains above Cortina d’Ampezzo. The incident occurred this morning at the start of the Ra Gusela via ferrata route.
The woman lost her footing and tumbled down the rocks, miraculously coming to a stop on a small, unstable ledge just before a sheer 100-meter (328-foot) drop. The managers of the nearby Nuvolau Hut were alerted to the accident at approximately 9:20 a.m. and were the first to descend to provide assistance.
A rescue helicopter from the SUEM emergency service in Pieve di Cadore was dispatched to the scene. After locating the injured tourist, a rescue technician was winched down nearby, followed by a doctor and a nurse. The woman, who is suspected to have sustained a pelvic injury, was stabilized at the site.
She was subsequently hoisted into the helicopter and transported to a hospital in Treviso for further treatment. The via ferrata where the accident took place connects the Nuvolau Hut to the Giau Pass in the Belluno province.