The scandal in the Kirchdorf clinic, which was made public by the “Krone”, added a new chapter on Saturday morning: a second patient also died under questionable circumstances. A doctor is suspected of administering drug overdoses to both victims.
Two dead patients and many question marks. As the “Krone” first reported on Friday evening, there are serious accusations against a doctor at the Kirchdorf clinic: the doctor is said to have given two patients an overdose of medicine. After initially only one fatality, the second patient also died on Friday evening.
The first body has already been cremated and the Steyr Public Prosecutor’s Office has ordered an autopsy and a toxicology report on the second.
Investigation into negligent homicide
“We are investigating two cases of negligent homicide. In both cases there is a suspicion of a drug overdose,” said Melanie Kurz, spokeswoman for the Public Prosecution Service. “We do not currently suspect any intent” – and therefore the investigation is “only” based on negligent homicide. The suspected doctor is at large. The presumption of innocence applies.
Both deceased patients were men, one over 60 years old and the other over 80 years old. Nothing more is known about the fatalities.
Noted during the morning meeting
The suspicious circumstances of the death were noted during the morning conversation at the clinic on Friday. “During the meeting, the deaths that occurred during the night were discussed, and through investigation we discovered that there were inconsistencies,” said Jutta Oberweger, spokeswoman for the Upper Austrian Health Holding, the responsible hospital operator.
The suspected doctor is considered an experienced doctor who would have had an impeccable reputation. “He was fired,” Oberweger confirmed that there was an immediate response to the allegations.
“Black day”
It is unlikely that the suspect himself commented. Health holding spokeswoman Oberweger also says: “We know nothing about his motivation. We cannot afford to speculate either. Clarifying the motive is the task of the investigating authorities.”
There is great consternation in the Kirchdorf clinic and in the health holding company a few days before Christmas. “It is a dark day in the history of our company, in which 16,000 employees do their best every day. The concerns at all levels are enormous. As a company, we are of course fully cooperating with the authorities,” says Oberweger.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
