Police seek witnesses after fatal Oktoberfest ride accident

Police are investigating the death of a 52-year-old employee at Munich’s Oktoberfest after he was hit by a gondola on the Hangover free-fall ride, BR reported. The circumstances remain unclear, and investigators have asked potential witnesses to come forward or provide video recordings.

Initial police findings indicate that the employee was on the ground in a danger zone as a gondola descended at high speed. He was struck, resuscitated and taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries, where he later died.

Passengers were never in danger, according to police. A crisis intervention team from the Aicher-Ambulanz on the Oktoberfest grounds assisted nine ride employees and witnesses.

The area around the free-fall tower was cordoned off during the emergency response overnight, but the barriers have since been removed. The Oktoberfest grounds opened as usual at 10 a.m. following morning briefings involving police, the city and festival management.

Munich Mayor Dominik Krause expressed dismay over the death and said his thoughts were with the man’s family and the ride’s employees. He also thanked the emergency services for their swift response. Oktoberfest chief Christian Scharpf said the accident had shown how closely joy and grief could be connected.

It was the second accident at this year’s Oktoberfest. On Saturday evening, passengers on a stationary spinning ride had to remain upside down for about two minutes before they could be released. The ride was inspected again by TÜV and cleared to operate after what was believed to have been a faulty sensor.