Serious Collision Following Overtaking Attempt on State Road Near Chorherrn
A significant traffic accident occurred on Monday morning along State Road 118 between Tulbing and Chorherrn, resulting in major disruptions and emergency response operations. The incident happened during an overtaking maneuver when a delivery van and a truck, which was towing a trailer, collided.
The driver of the delivery van, a 51-year-old resident from Vienna's 22nd district, was critically injured in the crash. According to initial accounts provided to emergency responders, the van driver attempted to overtake the truck. During the re-entry to the correct lane, the truck reportedly began to swerve, leading to a collision between the two vehicles. The force of the impact caused the delivery van to become severely damaged, leaving the driver trapped inside the wreckage.
Emergency services, including teams from the local fire departments of Tulln-Stadt, Wilfersdorf, and Katzelsdorf, were dispatched promptly to the scene. Using specialized equipment, firefighters extricated the injured van driver from the mangled vehicle. Medical personnel initially communicated with the driver, who offered a brief explanation regarding the accident's circumstances before losing consciousness.
Due to the severity of his injuries, which were described as of indeterminate extent at the time, the injured man was airlifted by a rescue helicopter to the University Hospital in Krems for urgent medical treatment. No further details about his current medical condition were immediately available.
The truck driver, a 64-year-old man from Bosnia, was evaluated at the scene and found to be unharmed. Authorities conducted standard protocols, including field sobriety checks and a detailed accident investigation, to determine the precise cause of the incident. The authorities are expected to analyze evidence from the scene, including vehicle positions and skid marks, as well as interview both drivers and any potential witnesses, to establish a full account of the events that led to the collision.
Recovery operations at the accident site were carried out by the aforementioned fire brigades. Both damaged vehicles required professional removal from the roadway. During these efforts, State Road 118 remained closed to all traffic for an extended period, causing temporary travel delays in the region. The closure allowed emergency personnel to safely conduct rescue, recovery, and clean-up operations without additional hazards.
Local law enforcement and road safety officials have reiterated the importance of caution during overtaking maneuvers and have reminded all road users to adhere to traffic regulations, especially on busy or narrow regional roads. Investigations are ongoing, and updates will be provided as more information is released by the authorities.