Tragic swimming accident: man disappeared in the Innerstetalsperre!

Tragic swimming accident: man disappeared in the Innerstetalsperre!

On Sunday, June 23, 2025, a tragic incident occurred at the Innerste Dam in the Goslar district. A 40-year-old swimmer disappeared while swimming under his wife's eyes, and news of the accident has sent the community into a frenzy. The Altenau fire department was alerted by telephone at 4:37 p.m. when the man was reported missing. A large-scale search operation was immediately launched, involving numerous emergency services.

The measures initially carried out included the use of an equipment truck, an emergency boat and a diver. The water rescue specialist group from Clausthal-Zellerfeld was also quickly deployed, and the divers carried out a total of three dives. Unfortunately, the underwater conditions were anything but optimal: limited visibility and old tree roots made the search significantly more difficult. In order to still explore the surrounding area, a surface search was organized with three boats at the same time and a drone from the Liebenburg fire department was used to provide aerial photos to coordinate the operations.

Dramatic search with many challenges

Despite all efforts, the search was unsuccessful until nightfall. The search operation was officially called off on Sunday evening and the site was handed over to the police. This confirmed that the missing person had disappeared while swimming under the surface of the water and that it was with the greatest regret that a fatal swimming accident was assumed. The search continued Monday using sonar equipment in hopes of finding what remained.

It should be noted that the Innerstetalsperre is a body of water open for swimming, but its use is not without risk. Swimming accidents can happen quickly, and the first few minutes are crucial. In the event of a swimming accident, every second counts to prevent possible life-threatening damage. Experts recommend always keeping your own safety in mind in such situations and not jumping into the water straight away, as this can often make the situation worse. A person who is drowning may lash out in panic, endangering rescuers. For inexperienced swimmers, there are some basic procedures to provide assistance, such as securing one's position by holding onto a solid object or throwing buoyant objects for rescue.

The incident at the Innerste Dam has once again highlighted the dangers of swimming in natural waters. It reminds us all of the importance of being aware of the risks and always prioritizing our own safety and that of others. We hope for good news for the family of the missing person and that the circumstances will become clear soon.

For more information about first aid for swimming accidents, you can visit Malteser.de.

For detailed reports about the incident at the Innerstetalsperre, check out the articles on NDR and RegionalHeute.de.