Dutch Prince Survives Ski Avalanche

Johan Friso 'not out of danger,' says government
By Dustin Lushing,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 17, 2012 5:57 PM CST
Dutch Prince Survives Ski Avalanche
In this 2008 file photo, Dutch Prince Johan Friso, left, and his wife Mabel, right, arrive for a gala dinner in honor of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Martti Ahtisaari at the Grand Hotel in Oslo.   (AP Photo/John McConnico, File)

Dutch Prince Johan Friso got snowed under by an avalanche while skiing and was seriously injured today. The 43-year-old son of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands was buried for 15 minutes before being rescued, reports the BBC. An avalanche beeper likely saved his life. The prince was vacationing in the Austrian resort of Lech and skiing with a few companions off the trail when the avalanche occurred. The Dutch government has described Friso's condition as stable but "not out of danger." The Austrian Alps have experienced exceptionally heavy snow this winter. (More Netherlands stories.)

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