An excavator operator in St. Peter-Freienstein, Styria, was underwater for 20 minutes on Friday: his vehicle had previously overturned in a flooded stream. There was no rescue for the 36-year-old.
According to the police, the excavator driver – a Croat living in Leoben – was still working on the Tollinggrabenbach shortly after 7 p.m. Flood protection is currently being built here. The man had to protect the construction site from the storm-related flooding in the stream, but then the accident happened.
The excavator probably sank in the loose rubble. He ended up in a tilted position and fell sideways into the stream. The 36-year-old was trapped underwater in the driver’s cabin. A colleague tried to save him, but was unable to due to the strong current.
Died in hospital
Only another excavator could lift the accident vehicle. The Croat was under water for about twenty minutes. He was resuscitated and taken to Leoben State Hospital, but died there around 10 p.m.
Source: Krone
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