A significant rescue mission was initiated on a Swiss mountain when a skier discovered a boy trapped under the snow. While skiing in Engelberg, Matteo Zilla noticed a waving arm and promptly stopped to assist. In a video shared online, the 37-year-old creative director is seen approaching the individual, who was buried by an avalanche, and clearing the snow to ensure clear airways.
With the help of fellow skiers, Matteo comforted the trapped boy, assuring him of their efforts to free him. Their swift actions led to the successful rescue, as confirmed by Matteo on Instagram: “We freed him, and thankfully, there were no repercussions.”
Providing more insights on social media, Matteo recounted mistaking the person for someone who had lost their skis initially, observing a man struggling without skis. However, upon closer inspection, he realized the individual was completely buried beneath the snow.
Describing the incident, Matteo shared, “We were skiing in Engelberg during a heavy snowfall day, with approximately 40 to 50 centimeters of fresh powder. I noticed a distant figure attempting to walk uphill without skis, assuming they had lost them, prompting me to assist in the search.”
“Upon turning, I spotted a foot protruding from the snow. I immediately cleared the snow from the person’s face and mouth, checking for injuries. After confirming his well-being, we carefully removed the remaining snow covering him.”
“We later learned that he had tumbled into the snow after skiing downhill, missing some small bushes. While my emotions were intense, they were secondary. The primary focus was on saving his life.”
According to the European Avalanche Warning Services, snow avalanches claim an average of 100 lives annually in Europe. In the 2024/2025 season, there were 70 reported fatalities, with Switzerland accounting for 20, France 21, Italy 11, and Austria 8.
In December 2024, Swiss Olympic snowboarder Sophie Hediger, a member of the national snowboard cross team, tragically perished in an avalanche at Arosa at the age of 26. Sophie had represented Switzerland in the 2022 Winter Olympics and aimed for a spot in the 2026 Games in Italy.
In April of the same year, at least three individuals, including a 15-year-old, lost their lives in an avalanche in Zermatt, Valais. A fourth person sustained injuries and was airlifted to a nearby hospital. Valais police confirmed the tragic incident on Easter Monday, stating that multiple individuals were swept away, resulting in three fatalities, including a teenager, and one injured party.