Drama at Eibsee: Father and son missing after pedal boat accident!

Drama at Eibsee: Father and son missing after pedal boat accident!

On Saturday, July 7, 2025, a tragic pedal boat accident occurred on Lake Eibsee near Garmisch-Partenkirchen. A 33-year-old father and his six-year-old son have been missing since then after the boy fell into the water and the father also jumped into the water in a desperate attempt to save him. Despite the police's immediate search, which was interrupted in the evening of the same day, there is still no trace of the two. The search continues today, July 8th, with divers, police boats and even a helicopter being deployed to systematically expand the radius around the accident site. The incident occurred far out on the lake, making the situation even more difficult.

The family comes from the Lower Franconian district of Haßberge in Bavaria. While the mother and daughter, who were also on the boat, are receiving psychological care, the emergency services are concentrating on the hope of finding the missing people alive. Police have not yet released any information about whether the child was wearing a life jacket or whether the father could swim. There appears to be no evidence of foul play and investigations into this are ongoing.

Education about safety precautions

The events at Eibsee shed a spotlight on safety precautions during water sports. According to the German Life Saving Society (DLRG) and the Bavarian Red Cross, there is no general obligation to wear life jackets on pedal boats. Nevertheless, the water rescue service urgently appeals to all water sports enthusiasts to wear life jackets and emphasizes the importance of this safety equipment.

According to a new marine equipment policy, since September 18, 2018, all passengers on board a ship or boat must have a life jacket, which they should use in critical situations. Especially because the number of swimming accidents in Bavaria has risen sharply - since June 1st alone there have been 27 fatal swimming accidents, which accounts for 40 percent of the swimming deaths in 2024.

Security statistics examined

As the DLRG reports, 33 deaths in connection with rowing, pedal and paddle boats were recorded nationwide last year. Given these alarming statistics, it is essential that both adults and children not only know how to swim, but also practice safety and use appropriate equipment.

For families and those who enjoy leisure activities on the water, it is important to know the right choice of life jackets and life jackets. Children should always wear an appropriate life jacket that is specifically designed for their size and weight class. This will not only increase their level of security, but also the likelihood of escaping a fate similar to that of the missing family.

Finally, we can only hope that the search efforts will soon be successful and that the family will receive good news. Until then, we appeal to all water sports enthusiasts to take safety precautions seriously and, should we venture to the Eibsee, to always be well prepared.