Police catch suspected drug smugglers after Spielfeld crash

Police caught two suspected drug smugglers after a driver fled a control at the Spielfeld border crossing and crashed, ORF reported. The 30-year-old driver and his passenger were seriously injured.

The driver, who is from the Leibnitz district, had arrived from Slovenia and was due to be checked at the motorway border crossing on Wednesday. Instead, he accelerated towards Graz, prompting police to pursue him.

He lost control near the Spielfeld exit and crashed into a concrete barrier. The driver then tried to escape on foot but abandoned the attempt because of his serious injuries.

Rescuers flew him to Graz Hospital, while the Red Cross took his passenger to the South-West Styria Hospital in Wagna.

Police found what they described as a large quantity of narcotics in the car. A blood sample was also taken from the driver. The investigation is continuing.