Overview
- The 76-year-old former Tagesschau anchor slipped on a heavily iced Berlin sidewalk on January 29, hit his head and briefly lost consciousness.
- His Apple Watch detected the fall and automatically notified emergency services, who arrived within minutes and conducted an on-scene check.
- Hofer experienced days of severe headaches consistent with a mild concussion but declined hospital treatment, according to his wife.
- He criticized NABU after the Berlin Administrative Court overturned a Senate exemption that would have temporarily allowed private de-icing salt.
- Transport Senator Ute Bonde said the exception was needed to protect health, while the BSR can still use salt and emergency departments report more fall injuries during the freeze.