Man Dies Falling off Instagram-Famous Via Ferrata
The new ladder is deemed a top tourist attraction. The identity of the man has not been released
A British man has died after falling more than 90 metres to his death while climbing a metal ladder on an Austrian mountain. The area, particularly the ladder, is popular with sight-seeing tourists and people looking for Instagram content.
The aerial ladder, found in the Dachstein Mountains near Salzburg, is known by locals as the “stairway to heaven.” The accident happened on Sept. 12 when the 42-year-old attempted to climb the ladder solo, without using a harness or lanyards to clip into the cables.
Police and rescue helicopters rushed to the scene, but the man couldn’t be saved. Shortly after, rescuers retrieved his body. The identity of the man has not been released. Authorities have ruled out any third-party negligence, saying the man was alone at the time of the accident.
The ladder is promoted as the ”new TOP attraction on the Zwieselalm for climbing enthusiasts” by the Dachstein region tourist age agency, which notes the climb is done in four stages with the ladder waiting ”as the ultimate adrenaline kick.” It rates the Via Ferrata route as moderate/difficult and should not be attempted in wet or windy conditions.
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