Drama in Styria

Fire chief waited for hours on a wall

Thörl fire department commander Lukas Ebner (portrait) was trapped by the floods for three hours.(Bild: Lukas Ebner, BFV Bruck an der Mur)

The municipality of Thörl in Upper Styria is currently experiencing major storm damage. On Wednesday night, the local fire department commander experienced hours of anxiety and was suddenly trapped by the flash floods: "Fortunately, I only suffered a few bruises."

It was a dramatic time for Lukas Ebner, commander of the Thörl fire department, on Wednesday night. As the young father of a family was on his way to a damage site to investigate the situation, he was suddenly surprised by huge masses of water.

"Two streams rushed past to my left and right"
"Suddenly there was a flash flood. I saved myself on a wall and two streams rushed past to my left and right," the Thörler told the "Krone" newspaper. He clung to a lamppost, the water was up to his knees. "I had to hold out for almost three hours until a private loader driver rescued me." Fortunately, the Floriani only suffered a few bruises on his legs from the debris that had been washed away. The incident commander didn't allow himself a break: he was still on duty all day.

Huge damage in Thörl(Bild: FILMTEAM-AUSTRIA/ROLAND THENY)

In addition to the district of Leoben, Bruck-Mürzzuschlag was also severely affected by the storm on Wednesday night, especially the municipality of Thörl and Aflenz. The Feistringbach became a torrential river, the destruction is extensive and people had to be rescued.

The fire departments will be on a major mission for days to come. Anxious eyes are constantly turned to the sky, the danger of severe weather is not yet over. Heavy rain was also forecast for Thursday night.