Rescuers responded early this morning to aid a 68-year-old man who was hiking near Montcabrerin at the Sant Cristofol retreat in Cocentaina. The incident unfolded when a portion of the trail gave way beneath him, causing him to lose his balance and fall several meters down the slope. After the fall, he slid roughly six to eight meters, taking a tumble that left him shaken and in pain. Fire crews assessed his condition on the ground and confirmed injuries consistent with a fall, including potential leg dislocation concerns and hip bruising, as reported by the Firefighters Consortium. The terrain and the unexpected rockfall added urgent factors to the rescue plan, requiring careful coordination and time for stabilization before he could be moved. The team’s priority was to ensure the man’s safety while minimizing further risk to rescuers on the steep, uneven mountain path.
With the man unable to continue the hike, the mountain rescue group known as GER joined the effort, supported by an Alpha 01 helicopter prepared to evacuate him from the affected area. The helicopter’s arrival enabled a rapid transport option, critical in terms of both medical precautions and overall response time, given the rugged landscape and potential for additional slips or destabilized rock. Rescue personnel worked in tandem to secure the patient, monitor vital signs, and prepare a safe extraction route that would protect him from further harm as they lifted him to safety. The operation relied on close collaboration between ground units and aerial support to navigate the challenging terrain and ensure a stable evacuation.
Following the successful extraction, the patient was placed in a waiting transport arrangement at the San Vicente Fire Station. The coordinated effort involved medical personnel ready to stabilize him during transit, with responders arriving on site around the time the operation concluded. The rescue operation concluded at 12:03, marking a careful and organized response that prioritized both the individual’s well-being and the safety of everyone involved. This incident underscores the importance of preparedness, experienced mountain rescue teams, and the availability of aerial expertise when terrain and weather create additional obstacles for hikers and rescuers alike. The actions taken by the responding teams were noted by officials and reported as a testament to the efficiency of the local rescue infrastructure. Attribution: Firefighters Consortium.