A curious incident in the Alpine town of Seefeld, Tyrol, saw local authorities and police spend two and a half hours rescuing a car that had become stuck on a cross-country ski track.

The 53-year-old American driver was following his satnav, which directed him onto the track, when he encountered oncoming skiers. In attempting to avoid them, the car became lodged in the unprepared fresh snow, according to police reports.

The man was driving from Seefeld to Lake Lottensee around midday when the incident occurred. Following his satnav, he turned onto a forest road and then onto the “B3 – Wildmoos See” ski track. After driving about 550 metres, he realised he had gone off course and attempted to turn back, but the car became stuck in the snow.

Other skiers alerted the Seefeld police, who worked with the local council to deploy a piste vehicle. The vehicle successfully recovered the car and towed it away, but the ski track had to be re-levelled as a result of the incident.