CANTABRIA – In a dramatic rescue operation amidst treacherous weather conditions, the Guardia Civil’s Mountain Rescue and Intervention Group (GREIM) successfully saved the lives of a father and his young son trapped in the Picos de Europa mountain range.
The Guardia Civil’s GREIM team (Grupo de Rescate e Intervención en Montaña) received a distress call about two mountaineers. A father, and his 14-year-old son were stranded in the perilous terrain of the canal de la Jenduda in the Picos de Europa. The pair were trapped due to heavy snowfall and relentless blizzards, rendering them immobile.
Rescue operation in challenging conditions
Undeterred by the adverse weather conditions, the GREIM team swiftly mobilised to the site. To get there, they had to overcome the many challenges posed by the snowstorm. Recognising the urgency of the situation, collaboration with Cantur in Cantabria enabled the activation of the Fuente Dé cable car, which had been halted due to strong winds. This strategic move allowed the rescue team to reach the upper station promptly, expediting the operation.
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Nerve-wracking descent
Descending on foot through the unforgiving weather, the specialised mountain rescue agents reached the stranded pair. Despite the harsh conditions, the father and son were found in relatively stable condition. However, they exhibited early signs of mild hypothermia.
#OperacionesGC | Guardias civiles del Grupo de Rescate e Intervención en Montaña #GREIM en #Potes rescatan en #PicosDeEuropa, a un padre y su hijo menor de edad, en mitad de un temporal de nieve y fuerte ventisca.
Fueron localizados con síntomas de hipotermia leve. pic.twitter.com/JKs3qcg8Gq
— Guardia Civil (@guardiacivil) November 3, 2023
Guardia Civil’s expertise
To ensure a safe descent, the Guardia Civil harnessed and secured the mountaineers with ropes, facilitating their return to Fuente Dé. The rescued individuals, a 47-year-old father, and his 14-year-old son, are from Áviles, Asturias.
Also read: Travelling during winter in Spain
