Dramatic pedal boat accident on Eibsee: father and son missing!

Dramatic pedal boat accident on Eibsee: father and son missing!

In a tragic incident at Lake Eibsee in Upper Bavaria, a 33-year-old father and his six-year-old son have been missing since Saturday, July 5th. The incident occurred when the family was traveling on the lake in a pedal boat. How merkur.de According to reports, the boy fell from the boat into the water and the father immediately jumped in to save him. Tragically, both went under. The 34-year-old mother and four-year-old daughter witnessed the incident and were fortunately looked after.

Since the accident, a large-scale search operation has been underway, involving the police, water rescue service and numerous volunteers. The first water rescue operation came just three minutes after the emergency call at 11:15 a.m. at the scene of the accident from the Haßberge district, where the family comes from. Despite the rapid response, the search turned out to be extremely challenging. The emergency services report a “dramatic situation”: strong currents and a water depth of up to 33 meters make the search difficult. There are also difficulties with a special underwater sonar, which often hits rocks and hinders the location of the missing people.

Challenges during use

How zdf.de reported that the search was temporarily suspended on Sunday but is expected to continue on Monday. The operation is made even more difficult by rain and thunderstorms, which makes it even more difficult for rescue workers to work in the water. The police have taken over the coordination of the search for missing persons, while the Grainau water rescue service is supporting them with their local knowledge.

It is tragic to see such incidents happening again and again. In 2024, at least 411 people drowned in Germany, with unguarded inland waters often being the site of fatal swimming accidents. The German Life Saving Society (DLRG) warns of the dangers of swimming, as overexertion, unknown currents and sudden water depths can often lead to serious accidents. The dangers should not be underestimated, especially in uncomfortable weather, as was the case at Eibsee at the weekend.

What can be done?

The DLRG recommends only swimming at guarded swimming areas and wearing life jackets when doing water sports. Getting used to cold water slowly and avoiding alcohol are also important guidelines to prevent accidents. If a drowning suspect is suspected, simple measures such as throwing objects to hold onto can save lives. In an emergency, it is important to always keep your own safety and that of the drowning person in mind.

With regard to the current search operation at Eibsee, it is to be hoped that the emergency services will soon be successful and that the family will have an emotional turnaround. The willingness to help of the rescuers and volunteers shows once again that the community stands together in difficult times.