Police investigate fatal Oktoberfest ride accident

Police are investigating why a 52-year-old employee entered the danger zone of the Hangover free-fall ride at Munich’s Oktoberfest, where he was struck by a gondola and later died, BR reported.

The criminal police have taken over the case and are asking potential witnesses to come forward or provide video footage. It remains unclear why the employee was in the danger zone as the gondola descended at high speed.

The area around the ride was cordoned off overnight during the rescue operation, but the barriers have since been removed. The Oktoberfest grounds reopened to visitors at 10 a.m. as planned.

Police, city officials and the festival management discussed the incident during morning briefings. Munich Mayor Dominik Krause said he was distressed by the fatal accident and expressed his thoughts to the victim’s family and the ride’s employees. He also thanked emergency responders for their swift action.

According to police, the employee was on the ground directly in the danger zone when the gondola hit him. He was resuscitated and taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries, where he later died.

No passengers were in danger, police said. A crisis intervention team from the Aicher Ambulance service at the Oktoberfest provided support to nine ride employees and witnesses.

The incident was the second accident at this year’s Oktoberfest. On Saturday evening, passengers on a stationary rotating ride had to remain upside down for about two minutes before they could be removed from their seats. The ride was later inspected by TÜV and cleared to operate again after a suspected faulty sensor caused the breakdown.