Fatal accident in Upper Austria: 26-year-old killed by chestnut tree branch during storm

His girlfriend immediately ran to the nearest house and got help. Residents rushed to the accident site with chainsaws and freed the trapped man. The neighbors then began resuscitation efforts until the emergency doctor arrived.

First aid by neighbors

Neighbors freed the trapped man with chainsaws and began resuscitation until the emergency doctor arrived. The first responders did everything they could at the scene to save the life of the seriously injured man.

The 26-year-old was subsequently transported to the Accident Hospital Linz (UKH Linz), accompanied by an emergency doctor and supported by a resuscitation device. Despite all medical efforts, he succumbed to his severe injuries there.

The 26-year-old died of his severe injuries in the shock room at UKH Linz at 23:20. Die behandelnden Ärztinnen und Ärzte im Schockraum konnten den jungen Mann nicht mehr retten.

Identity of the victim and background

The deceased was a 26-year-old resident of the municipality of Klam in the Mühlviertel. The municipality of Klam belongs to the district of Perg in Upper Austria. The 21-year-old partner, who witnessed the accident, was questioned as a witness after the incident.

The two were traveling in the locality of Reitberg shortly after 10:00 p.m. The 26-year-old was traveling on the quad in the direction of Klam when the severe accident occurred.

Course of the accident and investigations

The branch of a chestnut tree broke off during the storm and struck the quad rider. The exact sequence of events is still being reconstructed by police. Investigators are examining, among other things, the extent to which the health condition of the tree played a role.

Weather conditions on Tuesday evening were stormy in Upper Austria. In several parts of the state, there were heavy wind gusts and precipitation during the evening. The German Weather Service as well as the Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics (ZAMG) had issued warnings for parts of the region.

Storm and weather situation in Upper Austria

In recent years, people in Upper Austria have repeatedly been injured or killed by falling branches or toppling trees during storm events. Just last year, a hiker in another district was seriously injured by a falling branch.

The responsible district administration of Perg is now examining whether further inspections of the trees along the road in Reitberg are necessary. In many municipalities, chestnuts and other roadside trees are checked at regular intervals for their stability.

Reactions from the region

For the municipality of Klam and the Mühlviertel region, the death of the young man is a heavy blow. The mayor and representatives of the parish expressed their deep condolences to the relatives. On social networks, numerous people from the region expressed their dismay.

Police have initiated investigations into the exact cause of the accident. Experts are to clarify, among other things, how large the branch was, at what speed it struck the quad rider, and whether the tree may have already been pre-damaged.

A report from the Linz public prosecutor's office on the results of the investigations is expected in the coming weeks. Until then, the exact course of the accident remains the subject of the ongoing investigations.

According to the family, the burial of the 26-year-old is to take place in Klam in a small circle. The 21-year-old partner is currently being psychologically cared for by a crisis intervention team.