The family ski day for 32 winter sports enthusiasts from the Wels-Land district came to a dramatic end on Saturday in Salzburg’s “Snowspace”. The 46-year-old company owner Reinhard Pregartbauer from Bachmanning collided with a Dutch holiday guest shortly after noon in Wagrain on the way to the “Flying Mozart” middle station at full speed. The family man and successful entrepreneur suffered such serious injuries in the collision that he died at the scene of the accident.
While summoned doctors fought for his life at the edge of the runway, the 62-year-old Dutchman was flown to the Schwarzach hospital with serious injuries to his head, shoulder and ribs. Both skiers wore a helmet.
Engaged Citizen
In the community of Bachmanning, which has 736 inhabitants, there has been great dismay since the accident drama became known: “He was my friend. He was very popular in the village and got involved on many occasions,” says Mayor Karl Kaser (VP). The police informed him on Saturday afternoon about the death of the family man from the Waldviertel and avid skiers, the local chief reports with tears.
The exact cause of the accident has yet to be determined. The Salzburg state police command announced an investigation. “One of us was traveling with him. He told me that he only saw a cloud of dust and shortly afterwards an eyewitness yelled for help,” says fire brigade commander Hubert Kronsteiner.
According to his own statements, he only got the bad news at the end of the ski day: “When we had gathered at the bus in the evening, we were informed about it,” says the organizer of the ski day.
In shock, the participants would have started the return journey. “The accident victim was a supportive member of the fire brigade and was always helpful. Thanks to his skills, he could be used anywhere,” Kronsteiner mourns for the entrepreneur who died, with whom he also met regularly in men’s gymnastics.
Pregartbauer’s company, Wastewater Solutions Group GmbH, is active in the field of wastewater technology. The innovative entrepreneur was awarded the silver export prize by the Austrian Chamber of Commerce last year. The products of the Bachmanninger company attract international attention, they are used, among other things, in military camps of the German Armed Forces. One of his last projects was the conversion of old shipping containers into swimming pools.
The deceased leaves behind a wife and a 16-year-old son. Who will continue his company after Pregartbauer’s death is still completely open.
Source: Nachrichten
