German biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier, who captured two gold medals at the 2018 Olympics, died in mountaineering accident in a remote range of Pakistan, officials said Wednesday.
Dahlmeier, 31, was going up Laila Peak in the Karakoram mountain range at about noon local time Monday when she was struck by falling rocks, according to statements by her team and Alpine Club of Pakistan Vice President Karrar Haidri.
The accident happened at about 5,700 meters of elevation, and her “climbing partner called emergency services” immediately, her team said.
But “due to the remoteness of the area, a rescue helicopter could not reach the scene” until Tuesday morning, it said.
Haidri said: “Laura died doing what she loved most — pushing her limits in the high mountains. Her strength, determination, and passion have left an indelible mark on both the sporting and mountaineering communities.”
Dahlmeier captured a pair of Olympic titles in Pyeongchang, South Korea, in 2018, in the 7.5-kilometer sprint and the 10-kilometer pursuit. She also took home a bronze in the 15 kilometers.
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