In a startling incident of negligence, a 40-year-old German woman attempted a challenging climbing route in Warth, Vorarlberg, with her two young children, aged 7 and 10. The older child had some climbing experience, but the younger was completely new to the activity.
The mother seemingly underestimated the difficulty of the via ferrata, leading to a distressing situation.
Halfway through the climb, the seven-year-old became frightened, began to cry, and refused to continue.
Overwhelmed, the mother had no choice but to call for emergency assistance.
The police helicopter "Libelle" was dispatched, and the crew successfully rescued the family using a rope.
This incident highlights the importance of assessing risks and ensuring safety, especially when children are involved in such activities.