Cause is certain

Strabag boss died during a cure in Upper Carinthia

Klemens Haselsteiner was only 44 years old. He died on Friday during a spa stay in Upper Carinthia.(Bild: Strabag/Toby Binder)

Following the unexpected death of 44-year-old Strabag boss Klemens Haselsteiner, the spa hotel in Upper Carinthia where he was staying has now announced the cause. The Group management also said goodbye with emotional words and expressed its shock. 

According to Kurhaus Oberkärnten, an aneurysm hemorrhage led to the untimely death of Strabag CEO Klemens Haselsteiner. This is when an enlarged blood vessel, an aneurysm, ruptures and leaks blood - which often leads to death. The Kurhaus in Upper Carinthia, where he had been a guest on several occasions, confirmed with the family that the 44-year-old died on Friday from just such a hemorrhage.

Despite medical care and the rapid arrival of the Red Cross, the 44-year-old could no longer be helped. Some of the news is so "unbelievable" that you don't want to believe it, said Strabag Supervisory Board Chairwoman Kerstin Gelbmann on Saturday.

Group management thanks Haselsteiner
She continued: "On behalf of the Supervisory Board of Strabag SE, I would like to express my sincere condolences to the family. We also extend our sympathy to all Strabag employees, whom Klemens Haselsteiner regarded as his extended family." An obituary from the Executive Board stated that Haselsteiner had made a significant contribution to the realignment of the construction giant with his "flair for future topics". His impulses had "radiant power" far beyond the company.

"His philosophy was to prove himself anew every day and to show that building can be done better." Haselsteiner's aspiration was to take a suggestion from every discussion, from every conversation and to improve something. The staff will remember him fondly.

The entire Haselsteiner family has been known at the Kurhaus for decades. It is deeply rooted in Upper Carinthia: Hans Peter Haselsteiner married Ulrike Lerchbaumer from Spittal an der Drau and had three sons with her - including Klemens. Hans Peter Haselsteiner was also president of the Porcia comedy theater in Spittal for many years.