Injured Skier Rescued After Eight-Hour Operation During Blizzard

A 57-year-old woman who was injured while skiing near some of the highest peaks in the Pyrenees mountain range has been rescued after an eight-hour operation carried out during a blizzard.

This footage, obtained from the Spanish Guardia Civil, shows the arduous rescue operation, with the injured skier being lowered down the mountain slope on a stretcher using a system of ropes. The images also show the rescuers battling a blizzard at night as they completed the rescue.

The skier, a 57-year-old woman, was rescued in the Tubos de Paderna area, near the town of Benasque, in the northern Spanish province of Huesca, on Sunday, 25th February, according to local media.

The operation, which took place near some of the Pyrenees' highest peaks, reportedly lasted eight hours and took place during a blizzard, with a lot of snow, poor visibility and very low temperatures.

The victim, who reportedly suffered an ankle injury that prevented her from making her way down the mountain on her own, has not been named but is said to be a Spanish tourist from the neighbouring region of Cinca Medio.

Local media explained that it was impossible for rescue helicopters to approach the area due to poor visibility and high winds, meaning that rescuers were dropped off near the injured tourist's location.

The rescuers, who were dropped off on the peak of Paderna, at an altitude of approximately 2,600 metres (8,530 feet), then made their way down the mountain to her location on skis.

They found the injured woman wearing warm clothes and sitting on her backpack. They offered her a hot drink and set up a makeshift shelter before preparing a stretcher and lowering her down the mountain using a system of ropes.

They were then assisted by other rescuers and a doctor, with the rescue operation finishing about 8pm.

The injured skier was then taken to the Llanos del Hospital resort area where she received medical attention.