A 24-year-old Bulgarian driver was seriously injured in a traffic accident involving three passenger vehicles on the federal road to Walchsee (B172) near "Kössen", Tyrol, in the "Kitzbühel" district, Austria. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon, May 30, and led to temporary traffic disruptions on the busy tourist route.
In addition to the seriously injured Bulgarian, three other people sustained minor injuries. They were taken to the hospital for examination and observation. Four other passengers in the third vehicle escaped without physical trauma, but all three vehicles sustained serious material damage.
How the accident unfolded
According to initial data from the police investigation, the 24-year-old Bulgarian was driving on a section of the B172 where a speed limit of 60 km/h is in force. In a slight right curve, he lost control of his car, spun several times around its axis, and hit two roadside posts.
The impact threw his car into the oncoming lane, where it collided with a car driven by a 19-year-old youth. At that moment, a 69-year-old driver traveling behind them was unable to stop in time and hit the rear of the 19-year-old driver's car.
Consequences for drivers and passengers
After the collision, the 19-year-old German's car stopped off the roadway, while the 69-year-old driver's car ended up in a nearby field a few meters away. The Bulgarian driver was the most seriously injured – his injuries necessitated immediate intervention by an emergency medical team.
He was stabilized on the spot and transported by medical helicopter to the hospital in "Kufstein". Three companions in the 19-year-old German citizen's car sustained minor injuries and were taken to the hospital in "St. Johann" in Tyrol for further tests and observation. The four passengers in the 69-year-old man's car remained physically unharmed.
Investigation and suspected cause
Tyrol police indicate that at this stage, the main theory for the causes of the accident is driving at an excessive or inappropriate speed by the 24-year-old Bulgarian. According to investigators, it was the high speed in a section with a 60 km/h limit that led to the loss of control in the right turn, the subsequent spin, and the collision with the road posts.
Additional expert assessments have been ordered, including a technical inspection of the cars and a check for possible other factors – road surface conditions, weather conditions, and potential technical malfunctions. Until the investigation is concluded, authorities are urging drivers to drive with increased caution in the area and to observe speed limits on the mountain roads in Tyrol.