Accident on the sidelines of the European Championship - Colleagues commemorate the motorcycle policeman who was killed
One week after the traffic policeman's fatal accident while escorting Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Stuttgart, hundreds of his colleagues, fire department and emergency services personnel, and bystanders gathered on the Stuttgart Schlossplatz for a moment of silence. At 11:18 am - the time of the accident - the officers, firefighters, paramedics, and onlookers observed a minute of silence.
On the large screen, where football EURO matches are usually shown, hung a photo of the slain officer. During the moment of silence, Thomas Strobl, the Interior Minister (CDU), and the 27-year-old seriously injured colleague of the deceased were present.
A funeral march and a funeral service for the deceased officer were planned for July 12th, according to a spokesperson for the Interior Ministry.
The 61-year-old had been so severely injured in a collision with a 69-year-old car driver in Stuttgart on the previous Monday that he passed away in the hospital. The Motorradstaffel of the Stuttgart Verkehrspolizei had escorted Orban to Stuttgart Airport after an EURO football match of his country's national team on the previous Monday.
During the incident on the previous Monday, the officer's motorcycle collided with the car of a 69-year-old driver. The officer's motorcycle was flung against the motorcycle of the 27-year-old colleague, who had blocked the intersection.
- Despite the upcoming funeral service for the officer in Castle Square on July 12th, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban decided to continue his visit to Baden-Württemberg and Germany as planned.
- The Hungarian government expressed their condolences and offered support to the fire department and emergency services personnel who attended the funeral service, as well as the family of the deceased officer.
- The Hungarian soccer team, who were in Stuttgart for the EURO football match, paid their respects at the funeral service, sending a wreath and a letter of sympathy.
- The fire department was heavily involved in the accident scene and later in the funeral service, organizing the transportation of the deceased officer and ensuring the safety of the attendees.
- A few days after the funeral service, the Hungarian government announced plans to install traffic safety measures and increase awareness campaigns to prevent similar accidental deaths in the future.
- The European football championship (EM) organizers decided to hold a moment of silence during the opening ceremony in honor of the deceased traffic policeman, showing their respect for his service and sacrifice.
