An exhausted 65-year-old Dutch man called 112 with his phone battery almost empty. HGSS found him alive; an Interior Ministry helicopter carried him to Makarska that evening.
A call with little reserve left
At about 14:30 on 31 August, a 65-year-old Dutch man called the emergency number 112. He was in the Biokovo area above Brela, exhausted, out of water and with very little battery remaining on his phone.
The HGSS Makarska mountain rescue team found him alive but in poor condition. His location had been established; the difficult transport out of the terrain still lay ahead.
How the rescue chain worked
At around 16:00, an Interior Ministry helicopter was requested through the civil-protection operations centre. The Lučko anti-terrorist unit crew first flew to Makarska, took mountain rescuers on board and continued the operation on Biokovo.
The operation lasted several hours into the evening. The hiker and rescuers were ultimately flown to Makarska. Emergency medical staff took over there and treated the man for dehydration.
Calling early helps rescuers
The fact that the man could still call 112 himself was decisive. Anyone losing their bearings, strength or water should not wait until the phone is dead or their condition is critical. An early emergency call leaves more time to establish the location and make a safe operational decision.
Useful details are the position or last distinctive point on the trail, the number and condition of the people, remaining water, clothing and battery level. The phone should then be kept free and used sparingly; continuing on one's own can make the search harder again.
Water belongs in the plan before setting out
Biokovo Nature Park expressly lists drinking water, suitable clothing, sports shoes and dry food as basic equipment. Long stretches of the pale karst lack shade, while heat, wind and elevation can increase demand faster than on a coastal walk.
A single number of litres for every route would not be sound advice. Duration, temperature, elevation, body weight and available refill points differ. A reserve suited to the specific tour is sensible, together with a clear turnaround point before the last bottle is empty.
A marked trail is no guarantee
The park recommends using marked hiking trails and describes the tours as suitable for people with the necessary fitness and adventure experience. A marked trail still offers no automatic protection from heat, exhaustion or turning back too late.
Police gave no details about the exact route, the amount of water originally carried or the man's subsequent medical progress. The case should therefore be read as a practical warning, not as retrospective blame directed at someone who was rescued.
Evidence
Sources & date
Sources support the facts. Planning notes and recommendations are Golden Beach editorial assessments.
- MUP-ovim helikopterom spašen iznemogli nizozemski državljanin na BiokovuCroatian Ministry of the Interior · 1 September 2026emergency call, condition, rescue chain, helicopter operation and handover to emergency medical staff
- Pravila ponašanjaBiokovo Nature Park · checked 2 September 2026recommended equipment, drinking water, food and marked trails
- Info za posjetiteljeBiokovo Nature Park · checked 2 September 2026character of the hiking trails and requirements for fitness and preparation
