Dutch prince in hospital after avalanche buries him on Austrian ski trip

Prince Johan Friso and Princess Mabel. Photo: PA

Dutch Prince Johan Friso is in intensive care after being buried in an avalanche while skiing off-piste at an Austrian resort.

Johan, who is the second son of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, is thought to have been buried for up to 15 minutes.

According to the Telegraph, rescuers had to resuscitate him at the scene, before he was flown to a hospital in Innsbruck.

The accident happened while he was tackling an unmarked trail at the ski resort of Lech. He was skiing with a group of four, but he was the only one to be caught in the 100ft-wide snow sheet.

The ski resort of Lech, Austria. Photo: PA

According to the Express, police said in a statement: "After the emergency call, rescue crews were on the scene with helicopters. He was located immediately and freed."

The fact the prince was skiing off-piste last Friday has left some perplexed; the region had an avalanche warning of four out of five on that day, a level at which skiers are not advised to take to the slopes.

Prince Friso lives with his wife Princess Mabel and their two daughters in London, and works as chief financial officer for a company in Berkshire.

Both his wife and the Queen are with him at the hospital, confirmed the Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, who also told the Telegraph: "The prince is stable but not out of danger, and we await more information. Austria has excellent medical care and we have great faith in it."


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