Challenging rescue operation for injured tourist near Háafoss

A challenging rescue operation unfolded overnight near Iceland's Háafoss waterfall after a solo tourist suffered a leg injury. All rescue teams in the Árnessýsla region were mobilized around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, joined by a helicopter crew from the Icelandic Coast Guard.

The injured man was found by another group of tourists in a ravine below the waterfall, a location inaccessible by phone. It remains unclear how long he had been injured before being discovered. The remote and difficult terrain presented significant obstacles for rescuers.

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All rescue teams in Árnessýsla were called out around nine last night and the crew of the Landhelgisgæslan helicopter was also sent to the scene. It soon became clear that the man had to be moved out of the ravine before he could be lifted into the helicopter. It was clear that a challenging task lay ahead to get the man out of the ravine, and the Landhelgisgæslan helicopter crew was also called to the scene.

Upon arrival, it became evident that the man needed to be moved from the ravine before he could be hoisted into the helicopter. This realization prompted the decision to call in specialized advance rescue teams from the capital area. The helicopter returned to Reykjavík to refuel and transport these additional personnel to the scene.

Around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, approximately 20 rescue workers from Árnessýsla reached the injured tourist. They carefully transported him on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance. The rescue operation concluded around 2 a.m., and the man was taken for medical attention. Rescue teams also assisted in bringing the man's vehicle back to civilization.

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When the helicopter arrived at the scene, it became clear that at least the man needed to be moved so that he could be lifted into the helicopter. It was then decided to call out advance rescue teams from the capital area and the helicopter returned to Reykjavík to refuel and transport advance teams to the area.