Man tragically dies following fall into Tungufljót river near Geysir in Iceland

A man tragically lost his life following a fall into the Tungufljót river near Geysir yesterday. He was identified as Sigurður Kristófer McQuillan Óskarsson, the chairman of the Kyndill rescue team in Mosfellsbær, who was participating in swift-water rescue training exercises with two colleagues at the time of the accident. He was in his forties.

The South Iceland police are investigating the circumstances of the incident. According to Chief Warrant Officer Garðar Már Garðarsson, the man was by the river with his colleagues in the afternoon when the accident occurred. Emergency services, including an ambulance and a Coast Guard helicopter, were dispatched to the scene. Although efforts were successful in retrieving him from the water, he was unconscious upon extraction. Resuscitation attempts failed, and a doctor who arrived via helicopter pronounced him dead before he could be loaded onto the aircraft.

Borghildur Fjóla Kristjánsdóttir, chair of the Icelandic Search and Rescue Association, stated that the details surrounding the accident remain unclear. She noted that both rescue teams were experienced and regularly trained in the area. Most swift-water rescue courses by the Icelandic Association take place in Tungufljót, where over 500 individuals, including rescue team members and tourism staff, have received training over the past decade. Teams from the UK, USA, and Finland have also conducted training in this region.

In light of this tragic incident, the organization plans to review its training protocols to ensure safety and prevent future accidents. The thoughts of the entire community are with the man’s loved ones during this difficult time.