Gust of wind triggers fatal workplace accident at Semmering Base Tunnel construction site

Course of the accident

For the 45-year-old Croatian man, all help came too late. He succumbed to his severe injuries at the scene of the accident. The 54-year-old was seriously injured and flown to the hospital in Wiener Neustadt by rescue helicopter – specifically with severe injuries by the emergency medical helicopter "Christophorus 3" to the Wiener Neustadt University Hospital.

The emergency services were alerted shortly before 11:00 a.m. following the accident. Despite rescue measures initiated immediately, the 45-year-old could no longer be saved. The 54-year-old, likewise an employee of a contracted company, was flown to the clinic after initial medical treatment.

The public prosecutor's office and the responsible labour inspectorate are now conducting further investigations. In particular, it will be examined whether, in addition to the presumed gust of wind, there were other circumstances that may have contributed to the instability of the wall, and whether the safety precautions complied with the regulations.

Investigations and consequences

The Semmering Base Tunnel is one of Austria's central infrastructure projects. At the major construction site in Göstritz, dismantling work on a temporary workshop hall was underway at the time of the accident. Such dismantling procedures are part of the construction process, but experience shows they involve particular risks, as already installed components are subject to altered structural conditions.

According to the authorities, the affected subcontractor had been commissioned with the dismantling of the so-called workshop. When attempting to detach the wall construction, a single gust of wind was apparently enough to cause the construction – along with its supports – to fall into the basket of the aerial work platform on which the two men were standing.

Reactions and consequences for the construction site

Media interest in the incident is high. We already reported on it yesterday. Editorial offices are now awaiting the results of the labour inspectorate investigation, which is not expected before the coming weeks. Questions regarding the safety culture at the construction site and compliance with weather-related requirements are also likely to play a role.

Psychological support was organised for the bereaved family members. The responsible authorities expressed their condolences to the families and announced that the investigations would be concluded transparently and swiftly so that the exact cause of the accident can be definitively determined.

One fatality, one seriously injured person – this is how police summarised the outcome of the accident. According to police information, the tragic accident occurred at around 10:55 a.m., as the two men were standing on the aerial work platform trying to secure the outer wall of a hall that was being dismantled.

The Semmering Base Tunnel construction site remains under special observation following the accident for the ongoing dismantling and securing work. Construction managers have been instructed to review all ongoing dismantling work for comparable risks before it is continued.