July 30, 2023 – The diverse summer of the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service continues with an unusual intervention in Paklenica National Park as a woman gives birth.
Some of the true heroes in Croatia each summer usually operate away from the coast and can be found up mountains rescuing tourists who went out hiking in flip flops and got lost. The Croatian Mountain Rescue Service (HGSS) is a much-loved institution here, and the level of professionalism and expertise is second to none. Be it a lost tourist, or emergency response to an earthquake, HGSS will be at the forefront of any emergency rescue.
And the range of emergencies is truly diverse, with yesterday’s headline rescue rather different – it is not every day that a woman gives birth in a national park while out hiking… From the HGSS social media:
In National Park Paklenica. Today at 2:51 p.m., our rescuers on duty received a report of a birth in the Lugarnica facility in Paklenica NP. Before the arrival of the HGSS team, a young foreign citizen gave birth to a baby girl with the assistance of National Park staff. The mother and newborn were safely transported to the beginning of the canyon, where they were handed over to the HMP team. Communication during the action was hampered by the lack of a mobile signal. 7 members of the HGSS, the HMP team and doctors were involved. We would especially like to highlight the exceptional cooperation with the employees of NP Paklenica.
The story is all the more remarkable as it transpired that the new mother was not even aware that she had been pregnant, according to local media. We hope mother and child are doing well.
To learn more about the excellent work of the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service, check out the official website.
