Emergency room physician Gregor Prosen told Radio Maribor that the recent drop in temperatures has been particularly difficult for older adults. "If a person – especially an older person – slips and falls, they might not be able to get up in time, and they can die from hypothermia," said Prosen, adding, "It was even worse yesterday. It was freezing cold and windy, which increases the chance of hypothermia."
The late-middle-aged man from the Maribor region, who lived by himself, slipped and fell in his own backyard. Rescuers said that he was not dressed for the weather. He slipped and couldn’t get up, and was later found dead, said Prosen.
Another man suffering from hypothermia was taken to the Maribor University Medical Centre for treatment. The man from Ormož, who is still fighting for his life, fell outside his house on Tuesday, and was found on Wednesday. According to Jože Ferk of the Maribor University Medical Centre, he was severely hypothermic (his body temperature was measured at 21° Celsius).
On Wednesday morning, an avalanche injured a man on the south slope of Mount Vrtača. Because he had an avalanche airbag strapped to his back, rescuers were able to find him. The hypothermic man was rushed to the Jesenice hospital, and his life is no longer in danger.