Oktoberfest freefall tower resumes after fatal worker accident
Tuesday 22nd September 2026 on 19:15 in
Bavaria
The Hangover freefall tower at Munich’s Oktoberfest resumed operations less than 24 hours after a security worker was killed in an accident, BR reported. The incident occurred on Monday evening, and investigators are still examining how it happened.
The 52-year-old security worker, who had Serbian roots, was trapped beneath the ride’s gondola at about 10 p.m. and suffered fatal injuries. The gondola travels from a height of 70 metres at speeds of up to 90 kilometres per hour before braking.
Police sealed off the area during the rescue operation. Crisis intervention teams supported passengers and other witnesses. According to police and Aicher Ambulance, no passengers were physically injured.
It remains unclear why the man left his assigned position outside the ride and entered the danger zone. The criminal police unit responsible for workplace accidents has taken over the investigation. Police spokesman Thomas Schelshorn said investigators would also examine whether anyone could be held responsible. He expects the inquiry to take “days, if not weeks”. Witnesses who saw or filmed the accident have been asked to come forward.
The Schneider family, which operates the Hangover, said it was working closely with police and prosecutors to clarify how the incident occurred and what consequences might be necessary. “Our entire team is shocked and horrified,” spokesman Dirk Metz said.
Those responsible currently rule out a technical fault. Oktoberfest director Christian Scharpf said that, in the view of TÜV and Munich’s local building commission, there was nothing preventing the ride from resuming normal operations. He said the attraction had “no defects at all”.
Munich Mayor Dominik Krause expressed dismay and said his thoughts were with the victim’s family and the employees of the ride. The deceased is due to be remembered at the annual showmen’s church service on Thursday.
The accident was the second incident involving an Oktoberfest ride this year. On Saturday evening, passengers on the Predator spinning ride were left upside down for several minutes before being removed from their seats. A faulty sensor was believed to have caused that breakdown, and the ride reopened later that evening after another TÜV inspection.