Drama in Lower Austria

Fire engine overturned in Lower Austria – one person dead

The accident happened while the fire engine was on its way to an operation.(Bild: DOKU-NÖ)

Accident drama in Lower Austria: A fire engine overturned in Neustift-Innermanzing (St. Pölten district) late on Friday afternoon. According to Klaus Stebal from the Lower Austrian provincial command, one of the rescuers was killed. One occupant was seriously injured and three others were slightly injured in the crash. The vehicle had been on its way to an operation. 

An emergency helicopter was requested to transport the seriously injured passenger. The fire engine ended up in the ditch, said Stebal. It had probably overturned on a bend. Two of the helpers - the later fatality and the seriously injured man - came to rest under the vehicle. According to the spokesperson, the vehicle involved in the accident was a rescue vehicle 2 (HLF 2), which is specially equipped for forest fires. According to Stebal, no other vehicles were involved.

Crisis intervention team on site
The fire engine may have been on its way to a traffic accident. According to Stebal, a crisis intervention team was requested to support the helpers on site. In the evening hours, a low-loader was organized to transport the badly damaged fire engine.

There is consternation in Lower Austria following the accident drama.(Bild: APA/DOKU-NÖ)

Lower Austria's Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner also reacted to the fatal accident during an emergency drive on Friday evening. "Our condolences go out to the family, relatives and comrades in these difficult hours," the ÖVP politician announced on Facebook.