Individual meets tragic end during roller coaster trial run before Oktoberfest celebration.
Just a few days before Munich's Oktoberfest kick-off, a heartbreaking tragedy struck the festival grounds. A 20-year-old construction worker met with a fatal accident, getting hit by a high-speed roller coaster gondola during a test run on the Theresienwiese. According to the Munich fire department, the worker suffered severe injuries and got trapped beneath the roller coaster tracks.
Emergency services arrived promptly, administering first aid, but the young man was forced to undergo resuscitation in the ambulance before being transported to the hospital, still receiving chest compressions. Unfortunately, he didn't make it, the fire department confirmed.
A crisis support team was immediately deployed to aid the ride's employees dealing with the shock. The police are investigating the incident, trying to establish the reason behind the worker's proximity to the tracks.
Yvonne Heckl, spokesperson for the Wiesn showmen, shared her sorrow. "We are all shocked, it's an awful piece of news, a terrible tragedy that affects the family, the operator, everyone involved," she expressed. "We are like one big Oktoberfest family," she added, extending her sympathies to the relatives and the others affected.
Peter Bausch, chairperson of the showmen's association, echoed her feelings. "It's a tragic accident, losing a young life, that's the worst outcome," he stated. Heckl emphasized the thorough preparations and high safety standards put in place for Oktoberfest. "We have the highest safety standards, but there's no such thing as complete safety, we mustn't delude ourselves," she said.
Before the festival begins, the rides are thoroughly inspected, including regular checks by TÜV staff.
Last year, despite some minor accidents, the Oktoberfest ended without major incidents. In the opening day of 2021, a train slightly rolled back onto a stationary train in a different roller coaster, causing injuries to some passengers. The year before, nine people were slightly hurt when two roller coaster cars collided.
The "Höllenblitz" roller coaster, operated by the Ottens family, is the largest traveling indoor roller coaster worldwide. This year, it's predicted that more than six million visitors will attend the 18-day event, starting from September 21 to October 6. Construction work for Oktoberfest started in early July.
The news of the worker's death is truly unfortunate and has left everyone affected by Oktoberfest in mourning. Despite the high safety standards in place, unfortunate incidents like this serve as a reminder that complete safety can't be guaranteed.
