Race car seriously injures man on illegally closed Styrian road

A 53-year-old man was seriously injured when he was hit by a race car during a birthday party in Frohnleiten in the Graz-Umgebung district on Saturday evening, ORF reported.

Police said participants had closed the road without authorisation for the vehicle to make repeated runs from around 6 p.m. In a bend, the 32-year-old driver went onto the verge and lost control.

The car struck the 53-year-old, pinning him against a wooden gate and seriously injuring him. First responders and party guests provided first aid, and a rescue helicopter took him to Graz University Hospital.

The race car was not licensed for use on public roads. Police said the injured man was heavily intoxicated, while tests found no alcohol in the driver’s system. The driver was reported to authorities.