Driver uninjured

Excavator tipped into a pond during earthworks

It took three hours to recover the excavator.(Bild: Feuerwehr Rassach)

A rather unusual operation for the volunteer fire department in the Stainz district of Graschuh (Styria): An excavator crashed into a pond during earthworks. The rescue operation took three hours. Fortunately, no one was injured.

An excavator driver was carrying out earthworks near a pond when his vehicle suddenly started to slide in the mud. The machine tipped over and ended up lying on its side in the water.

Three fire departments in action
The incident commander of the Rassach fire brigade, Chief Fire Inspector Ernst Ninaus, called in the firefighters from the Ettendorf fire department with the oil damage vehicle and the Schamberg fire department for further assistance.

The excavator tipped sideways into the pond.(Bild: Feuerwehr Rassach)

Using so-called wooden pile anchoring and the telescopic loader, the excavator was finally recovered after around three hours. The leaked operating fluid was bound and disposed of. After four hours, the 32 emergency crews were able to return to the fire station. Fortunately, the excavator driver was not injured.