Idiot Billed €14,225 for Rescue After Ignoring Rockslide Signs in Dolomites

A 60-year-old British hiker is facing a bill of €14,225 after a mountain rescue team was deployed to save him from a rockfall zone in the Italian Dolomites. The hiker had reportedly ignored multiple warning signs indicating that the trail was closed due to safety concerns.

The incident occurred last Thursday on the Berti Ferrata, a challenging via ferrata trail near San Vito di Cadore. Despite several signs posted in multiple languages explicitly stating the closure, the man continued his trek. He called for help around 3:30 p.m. after becoming trapped by falling rocks on the treacherous path.

Rescue efforts were complicated by poor weather conditions and the persistent risk of rockfall in the area, which is part of the Croda Marcora zone. The operation, coordinated by Italy’s Ulss 1 Dolomiti health authority, required a significant mobilization of resources, including a helicopter that flew for over 90 minutes. The cost of the helicopter alone accounted for the majority of the bill, at over €11,000, not including VAT.

The breakdown of the rescue costs includes:

• €11,160 for a 93-minute helicopter flight
• €200 for activating the Alpine Rescue team
• €700 in hourly intervention fees

Italian authorities have emphasized that the hiker’s decision to ignore safety warnings unnecessarily endangered rescue personnel and diverted resources. “This rescue is unfortunately a typical case,” said Giuseppe Dal Ben, commissioner of Ulss 1 Dolomiti. “Despite numerous warnings and clearly visible signs, the hiker’s decision forced the mobilization of helicopters, mountain rescue teams, and emergency services—all of which could have been avoided”.

The bill is notably higher due to the hiker’s non-EU status. Italian or French climbers typically face rescue fees of only a few hundred euros. Since Brexit, British nationals without proper insurance are subject to full recovery costs

Officials with the CNSAS Veneto, the regional search and rescue authority, used the incident to send a clear message to tourists. A spokesperson noted that the hiker’s decision to ignore the closure signs was not only dangerous but also a financial burden. "Freedom in the mountains must not become irresponsibility," said a local official, urging visitors to respect the rules and the dangers of the natural environment.

The case highlights a growing conflict between locals and the increasing number of tourists visiting the Italian Alps, which has led to a record number of rescue operations and exhaustion for rescue crews. In response to recent incidents, rescue authorities have reportedly replaced the signs on the Ferrata Berti with even larger, more visible placards to prevent similar events in the future.