A few weeks ago, during our autumn training at the Vadálló-kövek, we set up several fixed anchor points that could make stretcher transport smoother and safer during real rescues on difficult terrain. Today, we got to test the system in a real situation.

Our 24/7 emergency hotline received a call at 13:26. After the alert, we located the exact site of the accident — almost at the same place where, last summer, we rescued another hiker. Following the alert, the rescue network was set in motion: 24 cave rescuers headed to the site, while simultaneously, the Budaörs HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) helicopter also took off.

The on-duty chief physician of the Hungarian National Ambulance Service (HNAS - OMSZ) — who happens to be a caver himself and a doctor of the Cave Rescue Service — was familiar with the area and the operational procedures of all three organizations. To ensure the fastest possible care for the injured person, he directed the HEMS helicopter to a nearby clearing suitable for landing, a few hundred meters below the Prédikálószék lookout point.

The air rescue team landed at 14:18, reached the injured person after a short hike at 14:40, and began examination and treatment. In addition to treating wounds, immobilizing the injured limb, and providing pain relief, they used a special thermal foil and blanket to reduce the risk of hypothermia that had developed after several hours of waiting..

During treatment, the arriving cave rescuers and firefighters built hauling systems with ropes for securing, counterbalancing, and transporting the stretcher over the most difficult sections. The path was very steep in several places; trails were barely wide enough for one person, the ground was slippery or covered with loose stones, and the thick autumn leaves hid many obstacles and pitfalls.

Once the air rescue team had stabilized the injured person, we placed her in our special cave rescue stretcher and transported her, secured by ropes, for about 1.5 kilometers to the Prédikálószék lookout. Despite all our efforts, we reached the site only after sunset. The exact time of sunset mattered because safety regulations prohibit the HEMS helicopter from operating in the dark in off-airfield conditions. Therefore, the helicopter and crew had to take off a few minutes before our arrival and return to their Budaörs base without the patient. Their role was then taken over by an ambulance and crew from Esztergom, who had arrived nearby.

From the lookout, we transported the injured person by an off-road vehicle and handed her over to the ambulance at 17:20 at Királykúti-nyereg, from where she was taken to the Vaszary Kolos Hospital in Esztergom for further treatment. We wish her a full and speedy recovery — hopefully, the whole family will be able to go hiking again soon!

The Vadálló-kövek are one of the most popular hiking destinations in the area: tens of thousands of people set out to visit each year. The wild landscape, the magnificent panorama of the Danube Bend, and the beautiful, atmospheric forest in all seasons make it very appealing. However, the trail is challenging in several places — both uphill and downhill. Maps usually indicate the risks, hiking guides mention them, and the Pilisi Parkerdő Forestry, which manages the area, has placed warning signs along the trail. They ask, and we also recommend, that only hikers with suitable equipment and experience attempt routes in the Vadálló-kövek area.

We also recommend that in autumn, you plan your hikes with the season’s challenges in mind: pack a headlamp to account for early darkness, wear sturdy boots with good traction and ankle support — perhaps even bring trekking poles — to handle uneven, slippery terrain, and carry a first aid kit or at least an emergency blanket to prepare for unexpected situations. Be mentally prepared as well: know the area, bring a map (even a phone app version), read hiking guides, and check the estimated time for each route. In addition, save the available emergency numbers, such as the Cave Rescue Service’s 24/7 hotline: +36 30 790 7079.

During our recent training, most of our members practiced at this same location. We reviewed rescue strategies, examined routes and possible variations, and began building the fixed anchor points necessary for stretcher transport. Our goal was to make sure that in real-life situations, the stretcher could reach vehicle-accessible points safely and faster. In previous rescues from this area, it typically took just over an hour to reach the Prédikálószék; today, it took a little over 40 minutes. We’re glad that our ideas proved effective not only in theory but also in practice — the setups worked excellently.

We thank the Esztergom firefighters, the HNAS (OMSZ) ambulance crew from Esztergom, the coordinators of the National Ambulance Service, the HEMS Air Rescue team for their quick and determined work until the very last moment, and the supporting members of the Cave Rescue Service for their cooperation.

If, as a hiker, endurance athlete, orienteer, paragliding pilot, or caver, you value the safety net that the Hungarian Cave Rescue Service (BMSz) provides to make outdoor experiences safer, please consider supporting our operations — even with a small donation — via the donation button on our homepage.

Photos: dr. Gergely Ambrus, Márton Kovács