TOPR rescuers used an unmanned aerial vehicle during a rescue operation carried out at the turn of Friday and Saturday. Due to difficult weather conditions, two tourists were unable to reach the mountain shelter before nightfall. Due to the bad weather conditions and the good condition of the climbers in need of help, mountain rescuers decided to halt the rescue operation and resume it the following morning.
The tourists who stayed overnight on the trail were helped to survive by supplies delivered by TOPR via drone. The drone-assisted operation began around 10 p.m. Despite gusty winds, three flights were successfully completed, locating the climbers precisely and providing them with heating packs, thermal blankets and a radio to contact rescuers.
The assistance provided helped the climbers to survive the night. On Saturday, rescuers managed to reach those in need of help by helicopter and transported them to a shelter in the Valley of Five Polish Lakes. In their Facebook post – in which they reported on the drone rescue operation carried out – the Toprovians also reminded the public of the difficult weather conditions in the Tatras and pointed out the need to have the right equipment and knowledge for mountain tourism.
