Witness Appeal Following Fatal Ski Collision At Ischgl-Samnaun

Swiss authorities are urgently appealing for witnesses after a tragic skiing accident resulted in the death of a 68-year-old man on Tuesday morning, January 6, 2026. The incident occurred in the popular Ischgl-Samnaun ski area, which straddles the border between Switzerland and Austria.

The Kantonspolizei Graubünden (Graubünden Cantonal Police) reported that the accident took place shortly before 10:30 a.m. on blue slope No. 69, a run that originates from the Alptrider Sattel and descends toward Alp Trida.

According to preliminary police reports, the victim—a 68-year-old German national—was descending the slope when he was involved in a "collision or near-collision" with a child who was accompanied by an adult male. The encounter caused the elderly man to fall violently, resulting in life-threatening injuries.

Despite the fact that the slope was active with skiers, the sequence of events remains under investigation as authorities work to determine the exact cause of the fall.

In a stroke of immediate medical luck that unfortunately could not change the outcome, three doctors who were skiing nearby witnessed the aftermath and immediately began administering first aid.

• On-site aid: Bystanders and the resort's SOS rescue services performed resuscitation for several minutes.

• Airlift: An Austrian emergency rescue helicopter was dispatched to the scene, bringing an emergency physician to assist.

• Outcome: Despite the intensive medical intervention, the man’s injuries were too severe, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The case has taken a complex turn as the child and the accompanying adult male reportedly remained at the site for a short duration but left the scene before police or formal rescue documentation could be completed. They did not provide their identification or contact details to those assisting the victim.

The Kantonspolizei Graubünden has launched a formal investigation in coordination with the public prosecutor’s office. They are specifically asking:

• The adult male accompanying the child to come forward.

• Any other skiers or witnesses who may have seen the collision or the individuals involved to contact the Engiadina Bassa police base in Samnaun at +41 81 257 63 70.

The incident has renewed calls for stricter enforcement of slope safety rules and speed limits on crowded ski runs. Under Austrian law, skiers are required to maintain control of their speed and direction at all times, with uphill skiers bearing responsibility for avoiding collisions with those below them.

Fatal ski collisions, while relatively rare, remain a persistent safety concern at resorts worldwide. According to industry data, an average of 40 to 50 people die in skiing and snowboarding accidents annually across all Alpine countries.

The Ischgl-Samnaun area is one of Europe's premier ski destinations, known for its extensive terrain, vibrant après-ski scene, and unique position straddling two countries. The resort spans more than 238 kilometers of marked runs and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each winter season.

Local prosecutors will determine whether criminal charges will be filed against the adult skier. Potential charges in such cases can range from negligent homicide to reckless endangerment, depending on the circumstances of the collision.

The ski area has announced plans to increase safety patrols and reminded all visitors that FIS safety rules must be observed at all times on the mountain.

Ischgl-Samnaun, often referred to as the Silvretta Arena, is one of the most frequented ski resorts in the Alps, seeing approximately two million visitors annually. This tragedy has reignited local discussions regarding slope safety and the "hit-and-run" nature of some ski collisions, which can carry significant legal consequences under Swiss and Austrian law.