Parents say Max Meyer’s avalanche death was ‘triggered by rescue attempt’

The parents of a Sydney teenager killed while skiing in Austria have revealed the avalanche that engulfed their son was triggered when a ski patrol was trying to rescue the family. READ THEIR FULL STATEMENT.

The parents of a Sydney teenager killed while skiing in Austria have revealed the avalanche that engulfed their son was triggered when a ski patrol was trying to rescue the family.

Max Meyer and his parents issued a call for help after getting stuck in deep snow in a narrow valley between two main runs at St Anton resort in Tyrol last Wednesday.

They were advised by the ski patrol to stay where they were.

Max was swept down a steep valley and buried under two metres of snow. Picture: Bergrettung St. Anton am Arlberg

A joint statement yesterday issued by his parents Thomas Meyer and Julie Schatz told of the 16-year-old’s harrowing last moments saying: “At that point in time we were uninjured, and in no immediate danger,” Thomas Meyer and Julie Schatz said in a statement on Monday.

“In the process of the ski patrol trying to reach us by skiing down from above us on the opposite side of the valley, an avalanche was triggered which engulfed us and tragically led to the death of our son Max.”

Rescuers reportedly retrieved Max’s body some 20 minutes later but he could not be revived.

“It has been confirmed to us by the coroner that Max’s death was instant and painless,” his parents said in the statement.

Max Meyer was a student at International Grammar School Student.

Max Meyer was killed in Austria by an avalanche. Picture: International Grammar School Sydney

peaking of their grief, they added: “Whilst this is obviously a profoundly difficult time for us, the support from our family and friends and from the International Grammar School community has meant a great deal.

“We are incredibly grateful for the messages of love and support we have received following the tragic death of our beloved son Max. We are also grateful for the support we have received from the Austrian authorities.

“We can find no words to express how much and how deeply Max was loved by us, and so many others.”

The family had been skiing off piste together when they became stuck and called for help. Picture: Bergrettung St. Anton am Arlberg

St Anton police are investigating the incident and will prepare a final report into the death of the Sydney International Grammar School student.

It is believed he told rescuers “we need some help’’ in a phone call just minutes before he was swept away.

“He (Max) said ‘we skied into the valley and we can’t get up or down and we need some help’,’’ Mountain Police Officer Patrick Wechner said.

His distraught parents and 14-year-old brother, who were trapped with him in a steep valley, watched helplessly as the rolling avalanche buried him.

More than two dozen people have been killed in weather-related accidents across Europe over the past few weeks.

Read the full statement from Thomas Meyer and Julie Schatz.

We are incredibly grateful for the messages of love and support we have received following the tragic death of our beloved son Max. Whilst this is obviously a profoundly difficult time for us, the support from our family and friends and from the International Grammar School community has meant a great deal. We are also grateful for the support we have received from the Austrian authorities. We can find no words to express how much and how deeply Max was loved by us, and by so many others. In order to answer the many questions that we have been asked about the circumstances of his death, we would like to make the following statement.

On Wednesday 9th January 2019 whilst skiing on the lower front slopes of St Anton, we ended up in a narrow valley between two main runs. Due to the depth of the snow, we considered it safer not to try to walk out, but to contact the ski patrol for advice and so that they would know our location. The Austrian police at St Anton have confirmed this was the most responsible action to take.

The location of the avalanche at St Anton resort which killed Max Meyer.

Ski patrol contacted us, confirming our location, and telling us to stay where we were. At that point in time, we were uninjured, and in no immediate danger. In the process of the ski patrol trying to reach us by skiing down from above us on the opposite side of the valley, an avalanche was triggered which engulfed us and tragically led to the death of our son Max. This was despite the prolonged and best efforts of the rescuers to try to find and resuscitate Max. It has been confirmed to us by the coroner that Max’s death was instant and painless.

The St Anton police are aware of these circumstances and a full investigation is still underway, which will result in a final report. We respect and will not interfere with this process, but have in the meantime been given permission by them to issue this statement.

We will make no further comment, and request now for the privacy and dignity of our family to be respected.