A tragic accident on the Pyhrn Autobahn (A9) near Seiersberg-Pirka, just south of Graz, claimed the life of a 43-year-old man from Lower Austria on Tuesday morning. The man, who was not initially involved in the crash, had stopped to help and was fatally struck by a car. Two others were injured, and the incident led to major traffic delays throughout the day.
The accident occurred around 4:15 a.m. when a Slovenian semi-truck traveling from Germany toward Slovenia lost control on the rain-soaked roadway and crashed into the central concrete barrier. The impact displaced parts of the barrier into the opposite lane, obstructing traffic heading toward Graz.
According to police, the 43-year-old truck driver from the district of St. Pölten had pulled over on the deceleration lane near the Seiersberg exit. He exited his vehicle, apparently intending to assist the Slovenian driver on the other side of the motorway.
Struck While Assisting at the Scene
Moments later, a 58-year-old driver from southern Styria collided with the dislodged concrete and was thrown toward the parked truck. A second driver—a 52-year-old woman from Slovenia—also crashed into the barrier and the Styrian man’s car. In the process, the Lower Austrian first responder was fatally struck.
The 58-year-old sustained serious injuries and was taken to the University Hospital Graz, while the 52-year-old suffered minor injuries. Police confirmed that alcohol was not a factor for any of the involved drivers. A crisis intervention team assisted with notifying the deceased’s family.
Multiple Collisions and Heavy Congestion
The initial crash led to a significant traffic jam during the busy morning rush hour, with congestion in both directions. Five additional minor accidents occurred due to debris scattered on the roadway, though no further injuries were reported.
Cleanup operations around the damaged median barrier lasted into the afternoon. By late morning, two lanes were reopened in both directions. The Graz-West motorway police continue to investigate the exact sequence of events.
