A 34-year-old Russian scientist, identified as Dr. Dmitry Fedyanin, tragically died after being led astray by a hiking app while descending towards Gotzenalm near Koenigssee Lake in the Berchtesgadener National Park in Germany.
Dr. Fedyanin had been reported missing until mountain rescue teams discovered his body at the base of Hoher Laafeld peak Aug. 12th with head injuries sustained from sliding down at least 150 metres (492 feet).
The incident is one of four recent deaths in the Berchtesgaden Alps area and serves as a reminder of the importance of staying safe when exploring nature.
Scientist falls 500ft to his death after hiking app led him over cliff https://t.co/yklckNu5Bm pic.twitter.com/MEy4uBrnm8
— New York Post (@nypost) August 22, 2023
Upper Bavarian Police spokesman Maximilian Maier stated that investigators believe “the male individual slipped in the rocky area which features some patches of grass” due to misguidance from a hiking app.
Maier continued that officials suspect Fedyanin succumbed to head injuries sustained during this incident and it is understood he was alone on his journey without any other person involved.
Dr. Fedyanin was reportedly a distinguished scientist, holding a senior research fellow position in Germany’s Siegen University’s Nano-Optics Department and having begun his studies at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology specializing in ultraviolet light, according to The Sun.
His death serves as an unfortunate reminder for hikers everywhere to always take necessary precautions when exploring nature so similar tragedies can be avoided in the future.
