Walkers survive being hit by avalanche and buried in snow
Walkers survive being hit by avalanche and buried in snow
THREE walkers from Valencia and two from Madrid have survived after being buried up to the neck in snow in an avalanche at the resort of Panticosa (Huesca).
They were part of a group of 12 climbing the Garmo Negro peak, which is nearly 3,000 metres above sea-level, when they saw a huge wall of snow of around 100 metres by 30 rushing towards them.
Five of the group were swept away, and one was completely buried, another had only his head sticking out, and a third had his legs trapped.
The two from Madrid were helped by a Valencian couple, Rosa García and Germán Sastre.
Iker Arriandaga, from Madrid, said he immediately threw himself to the ground when he saw the avalanche about to engulf him.
“It was like whizzing down a 100-metre slide made of sheet-ice, and all I could think about was keeping my head out of the snow,” Iker revealed.
“I moved my arms and shouted.
“I told Rosa and Germán to dig my friend out of the snow whilst I called 112, and a helicopter arrived a few moments later,” he concludes.
One of the three Valencians escaped completely unscathed, whilst two others – Pablo, 36
and Miguel, 33 – were treated for a twisted ankle and a knee injury at the Escarilla health centre, and then discharged.
Guardia Civil officers, who formed part of the rescue operation, say the climbers were 'very lucky indeed'.
