Harald Berger Killed in Ice Fall

Austrian Harald Berger, three times Ice climbing World Champion, died on the 20th of December after the roof of an ice cave he was climbing in collapsed on him. No others were hurt.

The accident occured while Berger and two others trained in the Eiskapelle cave, near Hintersee-Flachau, near Salzburg Austria. The collapsed ice was estimated to be around 150 tonnes.

Ironically, Berger had made the decision to ease back on adventure sports in light of the impending birth of his first child. Friend, Simone Moro told PlanetMountain: “He was to be a father at any hour... but it all came to an end beneath 150 tons of ice. For ever. The news of the disaster rendered me speechless, it took my breath away,”

The climber had all but given up base jumping and had planned to stay in Austria during 2007 to be close to his family. Daughter Zoe was born on the 21st of December, one day after the tragic death of her Father.

Two funds have been set up to assist the family:

Spendenkonto / fund raiser "Berger Harald - Spendenkonto" Bank: Hypo Salzburg BLZ/bank-nr.: 55000 Konto.Nr./account: 114 0000 1016 BIC: SLHYAT2S IBAN: AT68 5500 0114 0000 1016

Spendenkonto / fund raiser "Bergführerverband/guides association - Harald" Bank: RAIKA Bad Vigaun BLZ/bank-nr.: 35322 Konto.Nr./account: 3513801 IBAN: AT373532200003513801 BIC: RVSAAT2S022