Video from the dramatic rescue and airlift of a 56-year-old mountain climber, who was injured and trapped in a remote location at Koutoupa peak near Agrinio on Sunday morning (5/4), was released today, Easter Monday (6/4) on social media by the Hellenic Air Force.
According to information from agrinionews.gr, the 56-year-old, who serves as president of the Preveza Mountaineering Club and was visiting the area with two climbing groups, reportedly attempted to secure a rope to a rock formation. The rock broke loose and dragged him down, resulting in head, arm, and leg injuries.
Την Κυριακή 5 Απριλίου 2026,🚁Super Puma της ΠΑ εκτέλεσε αποστολή διάσωσης 1 τραυματία ορειβάτη από την κορυφή Κουτούπα του Παναιτωλικού Όρους και τον μετέφερε στην 116ΠΜ, όπου τον παρέλαβε ασθενοφόρο του ΕΚΑΒ.#HAF #ΠολεμικήΑεροπορία #384ΜΕΔ pic.twitter.com/qQ4PNWoig8
— Hellenic Air Force (@HAFspokesperson) April 6, 2026
Authorities were alerted shortly after the accident and organized a rescue operation. The mission lasted several hours due to the challenging terrain and strong winds that prevented the helicopter from approaching the location safely.
Read more: Agrinio: Climber trapped at Koutoupa airlifted to Rio hospital – How Super Puma carried out the rescue (Video)
Firefighters who located the 56-year-old climber had to carry him through the mountain terrain until they reached a suitable location where the airlift could be safely executed. The rescue operation involved 27 firefighters.
The video shows the injured climber positioned on a steep mountain slope alongside firefighters preparing him for airlift. As the Super Puma helicopter approaches the location, a rescue specialist rappels down to the slope and works with firefighters to secure the climber onto a stretcher before lifting him into the aircraft.
The injured climber was initially transported to the Hellenic Air Force military base at Araxos, where he was transferred to a National Emergency Medical Service (EKAB) ambulance that took him to Rio Hospital.
