The teachers had chosen the route based on misleading information on the internet. On the internet, the route is described as a “classic walking tour after work”, the police said. “In reality, the narrow Heuberggrat path with climbing passages, which requires a freedom from fear of heights, sure-footedness and experience in the mountain terrain.” On top of that, the bottom would have been wet and slippery.
When part of the group decided to turn around, two students slipped and suffered minor injuries. Then some students panicked, after which the teachers made an emergency call. All 107 in attendance were taken by two helicopters to a nearby forest trail, Mittelberg mayor Andi Haid said. In addition to the two injured, several students were “dead tired, hypothermic, soaked and completely exhausted,” police said.