Andrzej Gwiazda, one of the founders of the Solidarity movement in the 1980s, has been rescued by a mountain rescue team at the Dukielska Pass in the Beskids Mountains.

“We feel fine. The rescue operation was very quick and efficient,” said 75-year old Gwiazda who loves climbing.

The Polish Mountain Rescuers (GOPR) service from Sanok and Dukla together with border guards launched the rescue operation early in the morning after receiving a phone call from Gwiazda’s sister.

“We found Mr Gwiazda and his friend at 10 CET at Dukielska Pass near the Slovakian border. The slope is afforested so it was difficult to reach them. The woman is dehydrated but her life is not endangered,” said Grzegorz Chudzik from GOPR.

Gwaizda was one of the most prominent activists in the Solidarity movement and led, alongside Lech Walesa, the 1980 August strikes at the Gdansk shipyard. He parted ways with Walesa, however, over the Round Table talks of 1989 which he saw as selling out the principles of the Solidarity movement. (mg/pg)

Source: PAP