Two On Board Swim To Shore After Escaping Uninjured

A glider with two persons on board made what was called a spectacular emergency landing in the Eisack River in Bolzano in northeastern Italy on May 10, 2025. The two were uninjured and were able to exit the glider and make it safely to shore.

The Bolzano Fire Department was alerted immediately and dispatched its water rescue unit to the site. Divers were also sent from volunteer fire departments as well as the South Tyrolean Water Rescue Service for additional support.

Two water rescuers were flown immediately to the scene by a Pelikan 1 rescue helicopter.

When it was quickly ascertained that the two occupants were safe and unhurt, the additional diving units departed. As a precaution, the two people in the glider were taken to a hospital for examination.

The firefighters secured the glider so it wouldn’t continue drifting in the river current. A mobile crane was then used to recover it from the water.

Police officers were on the scene to coordinate traffic around the site and to maintain security. The Gries Volunteer Fire Department was on standby throughout the recovery to maintain operational readiness for the rest of the city.

With a population of over 108,000 people and more than 250,000 in the greater metro area, Bolzano is by far the largest city in  the South Tyrol region in northeastern Italy. It is situated near the Brenner Pass, one of the two main crossings of the Alps, and in fact is surrounded by the Alps.

FMI:  glidingunion.eu/