RMF241 hour agoCrime2 min read

Death of a firefighter after a fight at the Volunteer Fire Department in Biały Dunajec

Quick Look

25-year-old firefighter Paweł Z. died on August 11, 2024 as a result of head injuries suffered during a fight with Władysław M. at the Volunteer Fire Department in Biały Dunajec on August 1.
Investigators determined that the cause of death was acute subdural hematoma and cerebral edema.
Władysław M. was charged with unintentional manslaughter and causing bodily injury for more than seven days.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

The incident occurred during a social meeting at the Volunteer Fire Department in Biały Dunajec, where alcohol was consumed. An argument between the participants turned into a fight, as a result of which Paweł Z. fell and hit his head on the concrete floor.

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During the autopsy, experts determined that 25-year-old Paweł Z. suffered intracranial injuries in the form of an acute subdural hematoma and massive cerebral edema. These injuries, combined with subsequent multi-organ failure, led to his death - said Justyna Rataj-Mykietyn, spokeswoman for the District Prosecutor's Office in Nowy Sącz.

Other injuries were also found during the autopsy, including: lip wounds, limb injuries and a wrist fracture that impaired the proper functioning of the body for a period longer than seven days.

Death of a firefighter from Biały Dunajec

The tragedy occurred on August 1, 2024 in the evening in the building of the Volunteer Fire Department in Biały Dunajec. Alcohol was consumed during a social gathering. At one point, an argument broke out between 37-year-old Władysław M. and Paweł Z., which quickly turned into a fight. According to the findings of the investigation, Władysław M. struck the injured party. As a result of one of them, Paweł Z. fell and hit his head on the concrete floor.

According to investigators, Władysław M. took the injured party home. However, Paweł Z. decided to return to the fire station area. After some time, his mother and sister found him unconscious in the bushes. The man was taken to a hospital in Zakopane and then to a facility in Nowy Targ, where he underwent surgery. He died on August 11, 2024.

"Based on the analysis of monitoring recordings, medical records of the injured party, as well as specialist expert opinions, it was determined that the head injuries resulting in the death of the injured party were caused by Paweł Z. falling and hitting his head on a hard surface," said prosecutor Rataj-Mykietyn.

Charge of unintentional manslaughter

Władysław M. was detained and brought to the District Prosecutor's Office in Zakopane. He was charged with unintentional manslaughter and causing bodily injury resulting in impairment of the proper functioning of the body for a period of more than seven days.

The suspect did not admit to the crimes he was accused of and refused to provide explanations. The prosecutor placed him under police supervision, a ban on leaving the country and property bail.

Władysław M. has not been previously punished in court. The indictment was sent to the District Court in Zakopane.

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

The District Court in Zakopane will examine the indictment against Władysław M. and set a trial date.
Very likely · Within weeks
Władysław M. will be subject to police supervision and banned from leaving the country until the court proceedings are completed.
Very likely · Within months

Open Questions

Did alcohol have a direct impact on the escalation of the conflict?
What were the exact circumstances of Paweł Z.'s return to the fire station after taking him home?
Are there any surveillance recordings showing the entire fight?