Fatal Collision

Struck by a Train! Former Austrian National Team Player Killed

(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Markus Tschepp, Sepp Pail, Krone KREATIV)

Fatal accident in Nußdorf am Haunsberg (Salzburg)! A Lokalbahn train struck a car on Thursday morning. The car was dragged several meters. At the wheel: former national team goalkeeper Alexander Manninger. For the 48-year-old, any help came too late.

The fatal collision occurred around 8:20 a.m. shortly after the Pabing stop at an unguarded railroad crossing. The car—a modern VW minivan driven by the former Austrian national team goalkeeper—was severely damaged. The nearly 25 passengers on the local train and the train driver were uninjured.

Resuscitation with a defibrillator was not possible
The Red Cross and the Nußdorf Volunteer Fire Department rushed to the scene of the accident as quickly as possible. For Manninger, however, any help came too late. According to police, first responders managed to free the former soccer player from the car and administered first aid. A defibrillator was also used—to no avail! The circumstances surrounding the collision remain unclear.

Alexander Manninger was only 48 years old.(Bild: GEPA)

At the request of the district attorney’s office, expert Gerhard Kronreif went to the scene of the accident. He is tasked with reconstructing the exact sequence of events. “Due to the type of vehicle, it is possible to precisely analyze the electronic data—and thus the driver’s behavior,” says Kronreif.

The train’s travel data is also expected to provide further insights. Investigators are also checking whether the red signal at the railroad crossing activated (in time). The fact is: At the time of the accident, Manninger was alone in his car. 

Manninger played for Arsenal, Juventus, and Liverpool
Alexander Manninger was born on June 4, 1977, in the city of Salzburg. The future ÖFB goalkeeper (33 international appearances) played in the youth system of Austria Salzburg. Via Vorwärts Steyr and GAK, he made it to Arsenal London in 1997.

Manninger played 33 international matches for Austria—here in 2009 against Sweden.(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Manninger played for Juventus Turin for many years.(Bild: GEPA)

This was followed by stints at renowned clubs such as AC Florence, Espanyol Barcelona, and FC Bologna. After the beverage company Red Bull took over Austria Salzburg, Manninger returned to the city of Mozart, but was unable to establish himself there permanently. He was drawn abroad once again. After stints with Udinese Calcio, Juventus Turin, FC Augsburg, and Liverpool FC, he retired in 2017.