Overview
- The 57-year-old was last seen around 22:00 on Saturday, and friends alerted police when he did not return Sunday morning.
- Police and a helicopter searched overnight before mountain rescue was officially alerted around 12:15, deploying about 20 rescuers.
- Rescuers found the man shortly before 14:00 at the edge of the Gasteiner Ache before the first steep steps of the upper waterfall.
- Officials say he likely died of hypothermia, with no public autopsy results or indications of foul play reported.
- Night temperatures around −14°C were reported, and mountain rescue leaders said the day brought seven separate callouts, prompting renewed safety warnings.