Israeli Father Dies Saving Son in Slovenia Fall

Gil Hillel, a 44-year-old Israeli man from Kibbutz Yizrael, died Saturday in Slovenia after falling into a ravine while trying to rescue his 7-year-old son. The family was on a trip near the Savica Waterfall in northwestern Slovenia when the son wandered off and fell. Hearing his son's cries, Hillel searched for him and subsequently fell into the ravine himself.

Mountain rescue services received the call around 6 p.m., initially believing only the child had fallen. Upon arrival, rescuers discovered both father and son in the riverbed approximately 60 meters below. Hillel was found with severe injuries and pronounced dead at the scene. His son, who sustained serious injuries, was treated and airlifted by helicopter to the University Medical Center in Ljubljana.

The Slovenian police are investigating the circumstances of the accident. The Bohinj mountain rescue unit expressed condolences to the family and wished the son a speedy recovery, noting the difficult nature of the call. They mentioned that nearby rescue teams and drone operators were able to respond almost immediately.

Hillel, a father of three, was remembered by his wife, Rotem, as his anchor for twenty years. His brother, Ben Alon Horowitz, described him as athletic, funny, smart, and deeply devoted to his family. He recalled Hillel's willingness to always jump in to help others, a trait evident since childhood.