Vehicle overturned

20 minutes under water: excavator operator (36) dead

The excavator tipped over while working on a stream (symbolic image)(Bild: P. Huber)

An excavator driver was trapped under water for 20 minutes on Friday in St. Peter-Freienstein, Styria: His vehicle had previously tipped over in a stream with high water. There was no rescue for the 36-year-old.

According to the police, the excavator driver - a Croatian who lives in Leoben - was still working on the Tollinggrabenbach shortly after 7 pm. Flood protection is currently being built here. The man was supposed to protect the construction site from the storm-related flooding in the stream - but then the accident happened.

The excavator must have sunk into the loose debris. It tilted and tipped sideways into the stream. The 36-year-old was trapped under water in the driver's cab. A work colleague tried to rescue him, but was unable to do so due to the strong current. 

Died in hospital
Only another excavator was able to lift the accident vehicle. The Croatian was under water for around 20 minutes. He was resuscitated and taken to Leoben Regional Hospital - where he died at around 10 pm.