NEUSTIFT-INNERMANZING (Lower Austria): On Friday, April 26, 2024, a tragic incident occurred near Neustift-Innermanzing in the St. Pölten-Land district in the late afternoon in which a firefighter lost his life.
On the way to saving people
The fire brigade was called to a traffic accident that required people to be rescued. On the way to the scene, an accident occurred for unknown reasons, in which the fire engine crashed and overturned. Several fire department members were injured.
Large-scale operation after a fire brigade accident
A large contingent of rescue workers from the fire department and rescue service, including a helicopter, immediately made their way to the emergency scene to help the injured. Several firefighters had to be taken care of. Tragically, one firefighter died from his injuries at the scene of the accident.
The exact cause of the incident is currently unclear and is being investigated by the relevant authorities. According to initial information, another 3 fire brigade members are said to be injured to an unspecified degree. Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to the family members, friends and colleagues of the deceased firefighter and all those injured.
HLF 2 overturned in a curve
ORF Lower Austria reported that the forest fire tanker (HLF2) overturned on a curve. Two men were thrown from the vehicle and partially buried underneath. Any help came too late for a firefighter. The second, seriously injured firefighter had to be flown to the hospital by rescue helicopter. Three other people in the vehicle suffered minor injuries.
Enormous sympathy
After the fatal accident, there was a wave of sympathy among the helpers across the state. Numerous fire departments expressed their condolences online to the relatives and friends of the deceased, and the injured were wished a speedy recovery.
Report to the police
On April 26, 2024, at around 5 p.m., a 28-year-old man from the St. Pölten district drove a fire department truck that was in use from the direction of Innermanzing in the direction of Laaben through the municipality of Altlengbach. There were five other people in the truck between the ages of 17 and 48. In a long left-hand bend, the driver is likely to have lost control of the vehicle.
The truck is said to have crossed into the oncoming lane and probably fell onto its side due to a deflection movement. In the traffic accident, the 28-year-old and a 17-year-old passenger were thrown from the vehicle and trapped under the vehicle. The following fire brigades immediately initiated rescue measures. The 28-year-old suffered fatal injuries. The 17-year-old suffered serious injuries and, after receiving emergency medical care, was flown to the St. University Hospital in Pölten with the Christophorus 9 rescue helicopter.
The other four passengers suffered injuries of an unspecified degree and were treated on site. The L 119 was closed to all traffic in the area of the accident site until 9:30 p.m. There was a diversion.