Sawmill workers quickly alerted emergency services, leading to the rescue of a 55-year-old French national. He was airlifted to hospital on Thursday with a severely broken leg after falling down a steep, muddy embankment while fishing in Puig-reig.
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A Morning’s Fishing Turns Perilous
The incident occurred at approximately 9:15 a.m. along the banks of the Llobregat river, a popular spot for anglers. The man was fishing in an area near the El Saltet industrial estate in Puig-reig, a town in the comarca of Berguedà, located about an hour’s drive north of Barcelona.
According to a report by Catalan news outlet El Caso, the fisherman was enjoying a quiet morning when he slipped on wet mud, lost his footing, and tumbled several metres down a steep slope, sustaining a serious leg fracture upon impact.
A Fortunate Sighting
Despite severe pain and the remote location, the man was fortunate. Employees at the nearby Serradora Boix sawmill, located within the industrial estate, witnessed his fall. They rushed to his aid and, seeing the gravity of his injuries, promptly called the 112 emergency hotline.
This immediate alert crucially mobilised a rapid and effective response from regional emergency services, who swiftly pinpointed the location and assessed the situation.
A Coordinated Emergency Response
The Catalan Fire Brigade (Bombers de la Generalitat) dispatched a ground unit from the local Puig-reig station to the scene. Upon arrival, they found the man conscious but in considerable pain from his leg injury.
Rescuers quickly determined that moving him over the difficult terrain could worsen his condition or cause further complications. They therefore decided to call in a helicopter for a safer and faster extraction. This type of coordinated air and ground response is often critical for accessing injured individuals in Catalonia’s rugged countryside, as seen in other recent incidents, such as the complex rescue of a truck driver who fell from a bridge in Sant Cugat.
The rescue team carefully immobilised the injured fisherman on a stretcher. The helicopter then airlifted him from the embankment to a nearby clearing to rendezvous with an ambulance from the Medical Emergency System (SEM).
Airlifted to Hospital de Berga
SEM paramedics took over his care, transporting him by road to the nearby Hospital de Berga. There, doctors confirmed a serious fracture and admitted him for treatment. Officials reported the entire operation was completed without further complications.
The incident highlights the potential dangers of recreational activities in rural areas, even in seemingly calm conditions. It also underscores the vital role of public vigilance and Catalonia’s integrated emergency services. The quick actions of the sawmill workers and the seamless coordination between the Bombers and SEM were instrumental in the successful outcome of this precarious situation. This echoes the life-saving teamwork seen during a recent cyclist rescue in Gavà after a serious trail crash.
