Dutch prince buried alive

The second son of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands Prince Johan Friso is fighting for his life after being buried by an avalanche in Austria. Prince Friso was pulled alive from the snow after being hit by an avalanche while skiing in the village of Lech near Litzen-Zugertobel - but had to be resucitated and is now in critical condition. The 43-year-old prince was rushed by helicopter to a hospital in Innsbruck. A government statement said his "life remains at risk", and that he was in the intensive care unit of the hospital. Authorities have sealed the hospital off. A statement by the palace said: “Prince Friso has today become a victim of an avalanche in the ski resort of Lech. Prince Friso has been admitted to the intensive care unit of a hospital in Innsbruck in Austria. Physicians describe the condition of the Prince as stable but not out of danger. “ The accident apparently occurred shortly after noon. Prince Johan was part of a group of four that was skiing off-piste when the avalanche struck. All other members of the party escaped unharmed but the prince was buried for 15 minutes. According to the Austrian newspaper Kurier, the Tyrol region had posted an avalanche warning of four out of a maximum of five on Friday for the village of Lech where Prince Friso was skiing. A “four” warning means that skiers should not take to the slopes. Heavy snowfall in recent days had contributed to the risk of avalanche. Mark Rutte, the Dutch prime minister, said he was in contact with Austrian authorities, and stressed that Queen Beatrix was not involved. Some earlier report had claimed it was she who had been buried. According to Dutch news agency ANP, Queen Beatrix, her son Willem Alexander, his wife Maxima and their three daughters arrived in Lech on Sunday. The Dutch royal family often spends winter holidays in Lech in the western province of Vorarlberg. Prince Friso, 43, is the middle son of Queen Beatrix. His older brother is Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and his younger brother is Prince Constantijn. The prince, who has an degree in mechanical engineering, lives in London with his wife Princess Mabel and their two daughters. The second-in-line to the Dutch throne works as a managing director of a private equity and advisory firm.