A visit to one of the most famous viewpoints above Slovenia’s Lake Bled ended with a serious accident after two young Dutch hikers fell down a steep and difficult to access slope. The incident happened on Sunday afternoon at Mala Osojnica, one of the best known viewpoints overlooking Lake Bled. The two hikers had reportedly been sitting on a tree branch near the top when the branch suddenly broke, causing both to fall down the steep slope. The emergency call was received at around 2:34 p.m., and mountain rescuers were immediately dispatched. Fortunately, a doctor happened to be nearby and was able to provide initial medical assistance before the rescue teams arrived. Members of the Mountain Rescue Service from Radovljica, together with a team from the Slovenian Mountain Rescue Service based at Brnik, reached the area and quickly determined that the difficult terrain would make the rescue particularly challenging. Rescuers first reached one of the injured hikers and provided medical care before using ropes to move the person toward a location accessible by helicopter. They then located and treated the second hiker.
Because of the steep terrain, helicopters were ultimately required to evacuate both tourists, with a helicopter emergency medical team and helicopters operated by the Slovenian Armed Forces taking part in the operation. Both Dutch hikers were transported to the University Medical Centre Ljubljana for further treatment. The accident highlights the risks that can exist even at popular tourist viewpoints. Mala Osojnica is famous for its spectacular views of Lake Bled, its island and the surrounding mountains, but the area also includes steep slopes and sections where access can become extremely difficult. The rescue operation demonstrated how quickly a seemingly harmless activity can turn into a serious emergency when taking place on challenging mountain terrain.
Lake Bled remains one of Slovenia’s most recognizable tourist destinations, attracting visitors from around the world with its famous island, church, castle and surrounding mountain landscapes. For the two young Dutch visitors, however, their trip to one of Slovenia’s most beautiful viewpoints became a major mountain rescue operation. Thanks to the rapid response of rescuers and medical teams, both hikers were successfully located, treated and evacuated from the difficult terrain before being taken to hospital in Ljubljana.
