While crossing the ridge, a rock broke off and hit three police officers.
In the rocky gully of the Na Možeh ridge above Zelenica, a mountain accident occurred during police training as part of a mountain rescue service exercise just before 1 p.m. While crossing the ridge, a larger rock broke off, tumbling 10 meters down to where a policewoman was located, hitting her. The rock then injured two more police officers, one also in the face area.
The accident happened on a demanding path running along the border between Slovenia and Austria. Two police officers and a policewoman from the mountain police unit were injured. "The incident occurred during a planned ridge crossing exercise. At the end of the ascent (called Na Možeh), where the path passes through a rocky gully, a larger rock approximately 80x70x40 centimeters in size broke off above the police officers," the Police reported in the evening.
The rock first hit the policewoman, who was about 10 meters lower in the gully at the time, and the police officer below her. "Both were injured and transported by helicopter to the University Clinical Centre (UKC) Ljubljana. The third police officer, who was at the entrance to the gully, withdrew in time but was hit by the stone in the face area," the General Police Administration reported. The officer is slightly injured. Two other police officers nearby managed to withdraw in time and remained uninjured.
Two injured officers were transported to Zelenica by Austrian rescue helicopters, the third by the Police helicopter, first reported the newspaper Večer. After medical care, they will all go home for recovery.
"We are still investigating the circumstances and determining exactly what happened. According to initial information, it was an unfortunate accident," said Police Director General Senad Jušić.
"Mountain training for members of the Slovenian police mountain unit is essential, as it performs rescues and tasks with the highest risk level in the mountains. Unit members were actively involved in last year's floods and are part of the permanent on-duty helicopter mountain rescue team," the Police also reported.
Initial reports suggested two officers suffered serious injuries, but later the Police stated all three were slightly injured.
Interior Minister Boštjan Poklukar also spoke, wishing the injured officers a successful recovery and quick return. "I thank the Slovenian and Austrian rescuers and both helicopter crews for the swift and effective rescue!" he added.
This mountain accident is not the only one involving police. In 1997, five mountain rescuers, including police officer Mitja Brajnik, died during training under Okrešelj. The Brajnik Memorial is held annually in his memory, STA recalls.
Source:
https://www.24ur.com/novice/crna-kronika/med-usposabljanjem-policistov-se-je-odlomila-velika-skala-trije-poskodovani.html