Driver found dead

Passersby raise the alarm: Car plunges into the Danube

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24.04.2026 17:55

In Krems (Lower Austria), a car plunged into the Danube on Friday afternoon. According to initial reports, at least one person was trapped inside the vehicle. Dozens of rescue workers were on the scene. At 7:30 p.m., the grim reality became clear: The car and the driver were found.

According to “Krone” reports, the vehicle was a red car that had plunged into the Danube around 5 p.m. on Friday afternoon in Krems-Stein near the “Förthof” roundabout. Passersby had seen the sinking vehicle and called emergency services.

The car was recovered after about three hours.
The car was recovered after about three hours.(Bild: Freiwillige Feuerwehr Krems / Gernot Rohrhofer)

Young man jumped after the car
According to eyewitnesses, a car literally took off over the roundabout and plunged into the Danube. Emergency responders assumed there was at least one person trapped inside. A 19-year-old had witnessed the accident with his friend and immediately jumped in after it. “The car sank immediately; I still tried to open the door. A white-haired man was sitting at the wheel,” Sebastian P. told the “Krone.” But all efforts were in vain. The 19-year-old was subsequently cared for by the crisis intervention team. 

A large contingent of emergency responders was on the scene.
A large contingent of emergency responders was on the scene.(Bild: Freiwillige Feuerwehr Krems/Gernot Rohrhofer)
Between 60 and 70 rescue workers were on the scene.
Between 60 and 70 rescue workers were on the scene.(Bild: Freiwillige Feuerwehr Krems/Gernot Rohrhofer, Krone KREATIV)
(Bild: Freiwillige Feuerwehr Krems/Gernot Rohrhofer)
(Bild: Freiwillige Feuerwehr Krems/Gernot Rohrhofer, Krone KREATIV)
(Bild: FF Krems, Gernot Rohrhofer)
A helicopter also assisted in the rescue operation.
A helicopter also assisted in the rescue operation.(Bild: FF Krems, Gernot Rohrhofer)
Water rescue teams were also on the scene.
Water rescue teams were also on the scene.(Bild: FF Krems, Theo Arnetzeder)

Feverish search underway
A large contingent of emergency personnel from the police, fire department, water rescue, divers, and the Red Cross was on site. On both banks of the Danube, around 60 to 70 rescue workers searched for the missing person; the Danube is between three and six meters deep in this area. Drones also attempted to locate the submerged vehicle. At 7:30 p.m., the bitter certainty: The car and the driver were found. The victim is believed to be an 87-year-old man from the Krems district. For him, any help came too late. 

This article has been automatically translated,
read the original article here.

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