Rescuers in a helicopter checking the slopes of the Giewont peak for missing persons and anyone who might need help in the Tatra Mountains in Poland, Friday, Aug. 23, 2019. Three people are still missing in southern Poland after a deadly thunderstorm with multiple lightning strikes hit the Tatra Mountains, killing five people and injuring over 150. (AP Photo/Bartlomiej Jurecki)
The Associated Press
WARSAW, Poland (AP) - An online collection in Poland for the needs of the Tatra Mountains rescuers, a largely voluntary emergency service, has gone beyond expectations by raising around 112,000 zlotys ($25,700) in five days in appreciation of their work.
The collection for the so-called TOPR was launched by a mountain guide Maja Sindalska on Saturday, two days after dozens of rescuers rushed to aid tourists caught by a deadly thunderstorm over the Tatras that killed four and injured more than 150 others.
The daring action drew attention to the underpaid rescuers, some of who are state-employed with pre-tax monthly earnings of about 4,500 zlotys ($1,140) while others are volunteers. Sindalska had initially hoped to raise just 5,000 zlotys, but on Wednesday the amount collected far surpassed that goal.
Rescue helicopter have brought to hospital the first people injured by a lighting that struck in Poland's southern Tatra Mountains during a sudden thunderstorm, in Zakopane, Poland, on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Bartlomiej Jurecki)
The Associated Press
Rescue helicopter and ambulance have brought to hospital the first people injured by a lighting strike that struck in Poland's southern Tatra Mountains during a sudden thunderstorm, in Zakopane, Poland, on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019.(AP Photo/Bartlomiej Jurecki)
The Associated Press