Tragedy at Eibsee: Father and son found dead after pedal boat accident

Tragedy at Eibsee: Father and son found dead after pedal boat accident

Sad and shocking what happened at Eibsee, one of the most beautiful water landscapes in Bavaria. On July 5, 2025, a father (33) and his son (6) went missing in a horrific accident after the boy fell from a pedal boat into the water while playing. The father jumped into the cold, deep lake to save his offspring, but neither of them emerged again. The Eibsee, which lies on the Zugspitze and is up to 33 meters deep, swallowed them both.

The search, which began with an emergency call at 11:15 a.m., was extremely challenging. The first rescue workers were at the scene of the accident just three minutes after the alarm, but despite the deployment of around 70 helpers from the water rescue service, police, fire brigade and the Bavarian Red Cross, the initial search operations were initially unsuccessful. The weather conditions, particularly rain and thunderstorms, made the rescue work significantly more difficult. On July 12, a week later, the bodies of father and son were finally recovered from a depth of around 24 meters after police divers had located them. The family comes from the Haßberge district in Lower Franconia, and the mother (34) and four-year-old daughter received psychological care in this tragic situation.

Accident and investigation

The circumstances of the accident raise many questions. According to fr.de there is currently no evidence of foul play. The investigations by the Weilheim criminal investigation service show that the police are assuming an accident. What is also striking is the fact that there is no general obligation to wear life jackets on pedal boats. It remains unclear whether the boy was wearing a life jacket or what his father's swimming ability was.

The Eibsee is considered a popular excursion destination, a place where many families spend a relaxing day by the water. But the tragedy of this incident casts a shadow over this idyllic picture. In the Bavarian region alone, there have been 27 fatal swimming accidents since June 1, 2025. inFranken reports on this worrying trend and points out that water safety should be a top priority.

Witness statements and memories

The people involved in this situation are stunned. Manuel Achtner from the Garmisch-Partenkirchen water rescue service witnessed the events up close and describes the tragedy of the incident. Jürgen Römmler from the German Life Saving Association (DLRG) also emphasizes the importance of rescue equipment such as life jackets, especially in such dangerous waters. The Eibsee has proven that, despite its beauty, it also harbors dangers that cannot be adequately guarded against. BR.de offers relevant information and advice on this.

This story is not only a tragic event, but also a call for caution and greater safety awareness, especially for families spending time near the water. Our thoughts are with the affected family and they deserve all of our sympathy during these difficult times.