At approximately 5:45 a.m. on October 11, 2026, the duty officer at the Municipal Police Headquarters in Jelenia Góra received a call from a man who said that he needed help. According to the caller, while walking along a forest road in Karpacz, he slipped, slid several metres downhill and fell into a stream.
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They searched for him in the dark
Police officers were immediately sent to the scene. The duty officer also notified firefighters.
Officers determined that the incident had most likely occurred near Wielkopolska Street. After arriving at the scene, they began searching. The task was not easy—the early hour and the darkness still prevailing made it difficult to find the 46-year-old.
However, the police did not stop searching. They began calling out to the man, trying to determine exactly where he was. Fortunately, they managed to locate him in time.
A ladder was needed to pull the man out
Police officers and firefighters used a ladder to get the man out of the stream. The smell of alcohol was detectable on the 46-year-old.
Fortunately, the man did not suffer serious injuries. He had only scratches, but an emergency medical team was called to the scene. The medics decided to take him to hospital for further tests.
Police urge caution
This incident shows how dangerous falls from steep slopes can be, particularly when visibility is limited. Slippery surfaces and uneven terrain increase the risk of slipping, while ending up in the water can make it difficult to get back to the bank independently.
Police officers also remind people that alcohol impairs motor coordination and the ability to assess a situation, which may further increase the danger when moving through difficult terrain.
In the event of a threat to health or life, call the emergency number 112 immediately. Describing the location of the incident precisely may help the emergency services reach the person in need more quickly.