Lech, Austria (file photo: MBL)

Dutch Prince in Critical Condition Following Off-Piste Avalanche in Austria

Lech, Austria – Dutch Prince Johan Friso van Oranje remains in critical but stable condition in an Austrian hospital after he was buried on Friday by an avalanche in the resort town of Lech.

Lech, Austria (file photo: MBL)
Lech, Austria (file photo: MBL)

Friso, 43, was found unconscious after 20 minutes of searching the avalanche debris. He is the middle son of Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands. He gave up his right to the Dutch throne a decade ago when he married a commoner whom the press revealed had a relationship with mobster Klaas Bruinsma.

Friso was skiing off-piste with a single companion and without a guide shortly after noon on Friday when the avalanche struck. Both were reportedly wearing avalanche transceivers. The slide was described as 30 meters wide and 40 meters long. Authorities had issued a regional avalanche warning and rated the avalanche danger on Friday as a 4 on a scale of 1 to 5.

A hospital in Innsbruck describes Friso’s condition as “stable but life threatening” after reportedly sustaining significant oxygen deprivation.  A neurosurgeon at the hospital has been quoted as saying that his body temperature was around 90ºF when he was extricated. Friso remains in intensive care with his wife and Queen Beatrix at his side.

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