71-Year-Old Survives Cardiac Arrest Thanks to Spa Staff and Rescue Helicopter

A 71-year-old man survived a cardiac arrest at a Burgenland spa in late July, thanks to quick action by staff and an emergency helicopter crew. The incident highlights the critical role of air rescue services in the region, which handled over 2,400 missions in 2025 alone.

The emergency unfolded on July 31 at St. Martin's Spa in Frauenkirchen. Spa employees immediately began resuscitation efforts after the man collapsed during a birthday celebration. Christophorus 18, the region's newest rescue helicopter, then transported him to hospital for further treatment. The patient later recovered and personally thanked his rescuers.

Burgenland's two air ambulances, Christophorus 16 and 18, responded to a combined 2,423 callouts in 2025. Of these, 1,421 involved acute heart conditions or strokes, while 424 were accident-related. In 2,040 cases, helicopters flew directly to the scene to stabilize patients before rushing them to specialized care.

Christophorus 16 has operated from Oberwart since 2005. Its counterpart, Christophorus 18, officially opened its base in Frauenkirchen's Seewinkel region in January 2025. The new hub followed a temporary stationing in Wiener Neustadt and a disputed procurement process. Internal medicine and neurological emergencies formed the largest share of missions, according to data from the ÖAMTC.

The successful rescue at St. Martin's Spa adds to the helicopters' record of over 1,200 deployments each in 2025. Both Christophorus 16 and 18 continue to provide rapid emergency care across Burgenland, with primary missions making up the majority of their operations. The patient's survival underscores the importance of immediate intervention and fast transport to hospital.