Suddenly it was all white: Due to heavy sleet showers, a 33-year-old truck driver lost control of his tractor-trailer on Thursday around 3 p.m. in the municipality of Engerwitzdorf (Urfahr-Raum district). The 40-ton truck came off the Gusental Landesstraße (L1463), broke through the guard rail and fell into the Große Gusen, which runs directly next to the road.
Driver slightly injured
The heavy vehicle loaded with iron parts tipped to the side and remained on its roof in the river. The driver was able to free himself from the cabin. He was treated by paramedics and taken to hospital. He was able to leave after a short outpatient treatment. According to the police, the man from the Urfahr-Raum district survived the spectacular accident with minor injuries.
Picture gallery: Engerwitzdorf: Truck crashed into the Gusen
(Photo: TEAM FOTOKERSCHI / PANCHUK) Bild 1/49
View gallery
The Katsdorf, Schweinbach, Bad Leonfelden, Kefermarkt, Treffling volunteer fire departments and the Linz professional fire department were called in to carry out the extensive rescue work. “It was immediately clear to me at the scene that this was going to be a lengthy and difficult operation,” said operations manager, fire inspector Christoph Meisinger from the Schweinbach fire department.
Video recordings show the work at the scene of the accident:
More than 60 helpers were on duty. The emergency services set up two oil barriers in the Gusen to contain leaking liquids and contain the damage to the environment. With the help of two cranes, the firefighters, together with a private recovery company, managed to lift the truck onto the road in one piece and without any further oil leakage and to turn it back onto its wheels.
State road closed for hours
The L1463 had to be closed in both directions between Engerwitzdorf and Au until around 10 p.m. and a diversion was set up. In total, the fire brigades were on duty for more than seven hours. Work at the accident site continued on Friday: 14 tons of iron bars that the truck had loaded had to be removed from the river.
Localization: The accident occurred in the municipality of Engerwitzdorf
Editor’s note: This article was updated on April 19, 2024, 10:30 a.m.
