He had helped a neighbor drive his cows out of the burning barn and is believed to have inhaled smoke in the process. Two first responders and police officers rescued him, but the emergency doctor could no longer help the pensioner, according to the Styrian police department. All animals were saved.
Around 3:55 p.m. in St. Peter-Freienstein, police officers saw dense clouds of smoke over the community. Upon arriving at the homestead, they were asked for help by two first responders to get an unconscious man out of the vicinity of the burning barn. Together they brought the 75-year-old out of the danger zone and took over the first medical measures until the emergency doctor arrived.
Despite the doctor’s best efforts, the pensioner died at the property. A 42-year-old helper was taken to Leoben Regional Hospital as a precaution with suspected smoke poisoning. Several fire brigades were deployed with 50 forces and were able to bring the fire under control. 55 cows and ten calves were brought out of the barn unharmed. The investigations into the cause of the fire were carried out by the State Criminal Police Office and by experts.
Source: Nachrichten
