Sicilia Speleological Rescue with 82nd Csar of the Italian Air Force Save Injured Tourist in Marettimo

 A collaborative effort between the Sicilian Alpine and Speleological Rescue and the 82nd Csar of the Italian Air Force was executed to rescue a Friulian tourist who had sustained injuries on the island of Marettimo.

The incident occurred in the Punta Troia area when the 69-year-old woman from Torreano, Udine, was on vacation with a group of friends on the Aegadian Islands. While navigating a particularly challenging stretch of trail, she slipped and suffered a suspected fracture of the tibia and fibula. Unable to continue, her friends promptly called the Unified Emergency Number 112.

The 118 emergency center requested the intervention of the Alpine Rescue, which, to ensure a swift recovery in a rugged area, activated the Italian Air Force, with whom they have a well-established collaborative relationship.

Taking off from Trapani Birgi airport was an HH 139B helicopter from the 82nd Csar center, on board of which were two helicopter rescue technicians from SASS. They were transported to the incident site within minutes. A technician from the Alpine Rescue and the Air Force helicopter rescuer reached the woman, immobilized her leg, and hoisted her aboard the helicopter using the winch. Shortly after, she was disembarked at the helipad of Sant'Antonio Abate Hospital in Trapani.

In the event of accidents on rock faces, trails, mountainous environments, snowy areas, cliffs, caves, river gorges, or in cases of missing persons in mountainous, rugged, and hostile environments, to alert the Alpine Rescue, it is necessary to call the Unified Emergency Number (NUE) 112. Specify that a mountain rescue intervention is required. The operator of the #NUE112, following the specific "Operational Procedure for Mountainous and Rugged Environments," will transfer the rescue call to the 118 Operations Center, which will proceed to alert the Alpine and Speleological Rescue Service (CNSAS).