Two firefighters injured during snow operations in Walding

Upper Austria’s fire brigades had to go out on more than 800 missions on Saturday due to the severe onset of winter. In Walding (Urfahr-Environment district), the snow operation on Saturday was almost fatal for two comrades. While a 55-year-old and a 23-year-old were trying to get a fallen tree off the road, another trunk broke under the weight of the fresh snow and hit the two men.

“They were all wearing protective equipment,” said Commander Dominik Angerer. The older man’s helmet had also taken a beating. The experienced comrade remained in the hospital for the time being, while his younger colleague was able to leave the clinic.

• Also read: Snow chaos in Upper Austria: towns not accessible, power lines damaged
• Up to 30 centimeters of fresh snow in Linz: Volksgarten and Bauernberg Park closed
• Snow pressure: Up to 40,000 households in Upper Austria without electricity

The market town of Walding pointed out that due to the current weather conditions, numerous streets and footpaths are closed, including the Mursberg driveway, the Rodltal connection Schwarzgrub Tiergarten footpath and the Nature Friends Trail. The Mühlkreisbahn train service was also stopped on Saturday. “Stay at home,” Mayor Johann Plakolm advised his fellow citizens via Facebook.

“Please stay at home”

“Please stay at home and avoid unnecessary journeys by car,” appealed Hannes Niedermayr from the Upper Austrian State Fire Brigade Command (LFK). From the central area to the Innviertel, the emergency services are already “quite stressed”. Trees that fell due to snow loads blocked roads across the country and tore down power lines; vehicles had to be recovered in all districts. Pictures show the situation in the Braunau district, which was particularly hard hit:

Nationwide power outages

The nationwide power outages alone are tying up our resources. The LFK has given the order to occupy the bases “to the extent possible” during blackouts so that the population can seek help there. Especially in the Braunau district, the officer on duty described the situation as “intense” in terms of the operations. “And it’s only morning,” emphasized Niedermayr.

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