Concrete mixer plunges about 20 meters into the forest at Glungezer in Tyrol

According to initial findings, the driver was able to free himself from the wrecked vehicle on his own. Emergency responders treated the injured man at the scene and subsequently took him to the Innsbruck clinic. No official confirmation was initially available regarding the type and severity of the injuries.

The accident site is located at the foot of the Glungezer massif at an elevation that, according to police, ends about 20 meters below the forest road. Emergency crews had to secure the truck recovery area after the crash, as the concrete mixer was damaged by the force of the impact and leaking operating fluids could not be ruled out.

Cause still unclear

The exact cause of the crash was initially unclear. Police did not rule out either a technical defect in the vehicle or a medical issue affecting the driver at the time of the investigation. An expert was not called in, according to police, as the investigations were still ongoing.

The forest road to the Glungezer runs through steep, partly rocky terrain and is used, among other things, to supply alpine pastures and construction sites in the region. On Monday afternoon, road conditions were dry, according to emergency crews.

Closure and cleanup work

Residents in Hall in Tirol and in the nearby Tulfe did not hear the accident, according to police. The alert was triggered by an emergency call placed after the crash. Several volunteer fire departments from the Innsbruck-Land district as well as the Red Cross responded.

For the duration of the recovery and cleanup work, the forest road at the Glungezer had to be closed between the valley exit and the accident site. According to police, some of the closures were partially lifted late Monday evening, while the accident recovery itself continued on Tuesday.

Investigations taken over

The Hall in Tirol police inspection took over the investigation, and a report will be forwarded to the competent public prosecutor's office. Whether this constituted an accident within the meaning of the road traffic regulations or an incident relevant under forestry criminal law remained open at the time of the investigation.

At the time of the accident, no other people were in the concrete mixer, according to police. The Innung regional construction management and the responsible construction site supervision were informed of the incident, as the truck was on its way to the construction site at the Glungezer.

The Hall in Tirol police inspection is requesting information from the public regarding the cause of the accident or possible vehicle problems prior to the crash at the known service number. The investigations are ongoing.