Driver flees crash into forest near Gloggnitz

A 29-year-old man who fled into a forest after crashing his small truck near Gloggnitz was found several hours later, ORF reported. A breath test was positive.

The man, from Neunkirchen district, was driving in the municipality of Gloggnitz at about 7.30pm on Tuesday when his truck left the road for reasons that remain unclear. Travelling toward Raach am Hochgebirge, also in Neunkirchen district, the vehicle tipped onto its side and its roof struck two trees, Lower Austria’s state police directorate said.

A driver who witnessed the crash saw the man leave the truck and run into the forest, then alerted emergency services. Firefighters, paramedics, mountain rescuers and police searched the difficult terrain with the help of search dogs and helicopters.

At about 11pm, a fire service drone detected a heat source. Two firefighters found the man near a farm property. Police provisionally confiscated his driving licence and said he would be reported to the responsible district administrative authority.