A dramatic mountain rescue unfolded in the Swiss Alps after a quick-thinking skier spotted a desperate signal for help—an arm waving from beneath the snow.
The Moment of Discovery
While enjoying fresh powder in Engelberg on a day with 40-50 centimetres of new snow, creative director Matteo Zilla, 37, noticed what he initially thought was a man struggling uphill without his skis. As he skied down to offer assistance, a chilling sight made him change course. "I turned my head and saw a foot sticking out of the snow," Zilla later recounted on social media.
Rushing over, he and other nearby skiers immediately began to dig. They first cleared the snow from the boy's face and mouth to secure his airways, speaking to him to check for injuries. The victim, a young boy, was completely buried under the fresh avalanche debris. The rescuers worked methodically, reassuring him they would get him out.
A Miraculous Rescue with No Serious Injuries
The group's swift actions proved successful. They managed to free the boy from his snowy trap. It emerged that the youngster had been skiing down the slope, hit some hidden bushes, and flipped over into the deep snow. Miraculously, he was not seriously hurt. Zilla summarised the event on Instagram, writing: "We released him and fortunately no consequences." He emphasised that while emotions were running high, the only thing that mattered was saving a life.
The Sobering Context of Alpine Dangers
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present dangers in alpine environments. According to the European Avalanche Warning Services, snow avalanches claim an average of 100 lives in Europe annually.
The 2024/2025 season saw 70 recorded fatalities across the continent:
- 20 in Switzerland
- 21 in France
- 11 in Italy
- 8 in Austria
This tragic toll included Olympic snowboarder Sophie Hediger, a member of the Swiss national team, who died in an avalanche in Arosa in December 2024 at the age of 26. Earlier that same year, in April, an avalanche in Zermatt killed at least three people, including a 15-year-old.
The rescue in Engelberg underscores the critical importance of vigilance, preparedness, and the vital role that fellow skiers can play in emergency situations in the mountains.
