From the mountains to the hospital: German hiker rescued after fall at Puig de Galatzó

Two mountain rescues in less than an hour

On Friday afternoon, two emergencies on popular hiking routes kept the teams busy: around 13:40 a rescue team from Inca landed at Puig de Galatzó after a 61-year-old German hiker had fallen. Shortly before, a helicopter had rescued a 60-year-old Spanish woman from the Torrent de Pareis, who had slipped and could not go further.

How things went at Puig de Galatzó

The man complained of severe knee pain; initial signs pointed to a serious fracture. The emergency services secured the scene, provided pain relief on site, and transported the hiker to Son Espases Hospital in Palma. He was treated there. Such scenes are seen here more often when someone slips on rocky passages — especially now in late summer when many hikers are out and about.

Helicopter operation in the Torrent de Pareis

The rescue of the 60-year-old woman progressed quickly thanks to air support: a helicopter lifted her from the gorge and brought her down to the valley. She was apparently only bumped, yet it would have been hard to retrieve her quickly and safely without air rescue. The Mallorca Firefighters emphasized afterwards how important rapid communication and proper equipment are.

Safety tips from the rescuers — and a few real tips

The fire brigade has repeated the usual advice: Share your location with family or friends, do not go on difficult routes alone, and bring enough water. Practical tips here on our island are often: good hiking shoes, a power bank for the phone, a map or offline GPX file, and enough water (at least 1.5 liters per person in warm weather).

And one more personal note: I once took five minutes on the way back to the parking lot because the batteries were dead — a bit of preparation saves stress. If you see a difficulty, do not hesitate to call 112. Inform quickly, share coordinates (WhatsApp location often works), and stay calm; that helps the rescuers.

For hiking enthusiasts

Late summer is ideal for hiking Mallorca, but the mountains repay little for inattention. Whether Puig de Galatzó or Torrent de Pareis: plan your route, check the weather, share the route, and prefer small groups. The emergency services are there, but caution protects best.