Bridge Collapse in Linz: Two Seriously Injured Freed from Truck

The truck collided with a pedestrian overpass in the Linz district of Auwiesen on Wednesday morning, causing the bridge to collapse and crash onto the truck. The two occupants were seriously injured and trapped in the vehicle. By noon, they were successfully freed in a complex operation, reported operation leader Christian Dangl to the APA.

Pedestrian Bridge in Linz Collapsed onto Truck: Two Injured Freed

Both are very seriously injured. One was admitted to MedCampus III, and the other is likely going to the Linz Accident Hospital. Details about the men's condition were not known. Crisis intervention teams are also in action, reported Christian Hartl, spokesperson for the Red Cross. Several colleagues of the injured witnessed the accident and now need support.

Cause of Bridge Collapse in Linz Unclear

The exact cause of the accident was still unclear. The two men were on their way to a construction site with the truck. The truck had a crane boom on the loading area, which then hit a bridge element, described Dangl of the accident sequence. Subsequently, the bridge collapsed, and a roughly 50-ton component buried the driver's cabin underneath. Why the collision occurred - whether the crane was not properly retracted or if there was a technical defect - is the subject of investigations.

The two truck occupants were trapped in the wreck after the accident and were cut out of the vehicle in a complex and dangerous operation. First, the fire department secured the bridge part that was lying on the driver's cabin, then the men were freed one after the other with a rescue shear, treated, and taken to the hospital. How and when the heavy component will be removed is still open. A crane company has been engaged for this purpose.

No Further Injuries in Bridge Collapse in Linz

There are no further injuries, said Dangl. At the time of the accident, no one was on the bridge. However, the excitement in the adjacent residential area was significant. He thought there had been an earthquake, said a resident to the APA. The area was cordoned off extensively by the police, as there is still an acute danger, explained the operation leader.

(APA/Red)

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