More accidents at Paso de los Machos, Sierra Nevada. This time to cyclists

[elperronegro]

The Paso de los Machos below Cerro de los Machos in the Veleta region is a notorious accident blackspot. In winter there is frequent avalanche risk. In summer the snows are late to clear and there are numerous falls each year by people ill equipped to cross snow and ice.

Latest accident came yesterday when 3 cyclists from Granada, intent on
crossing over the range became trapped on the snows after 1 fell and was injured. They other 2 remained where they were and alerted the rescue services of the Guardia Civil. They feared slipping on the ice.

The Civil Guard located the two riders in a large snowfield, just after 20.30 hours. Both were fine, although they were very cold and very scared.

With the help of a rope the Civil Guards took the two cyclists and their bicycles to a secure area of ​​the snowfield, and then accompanied them on foot to a 4WD car at the refugio de Carihuela and then to the Hoya de la Mora, where both had parked his own vehicle.

The transfer of the two riders was made more difficult because they were wearing the wrong shoes for the snow. It was necessary to constantly encourage them to continue until the expedition reached the vehicle. The rescue was successfully completed in the early hours of Friday.