Styria honours two women for rescues after crash and explosion

The state of Styria has honoured two women who saved lives after a train crash and a house explosion last year, ORF reported. Claudia Hakl and Anita Scherr received the state’s Life-Saving Medal on the White-and-Green Ribbon at a ceremony on Tuesday.

In May 2025, a passenger train and an articulated lorry collided in Wollsdorf, a village in the Weiz district. Both vehicles caught fire. Hakl, a train attendant, rescued the injured driver and led passengers out despite heavy smoke. She searched the train for other possible casualties and was the last person to leave.

In September 2025, an explosion and fire struck a detached house in Hörgas. Scherr, from the Voitsberg district, alerted emergency services and went to help her neighbours. She twice rescued a 90-year-old resident from the burning house and helped other rescuers bring his son to safety from a balcony.

The Styrian state government decided on October 1 to honour the women. Land Governor Mario Kunasek presented the medals at a ceremony in the hall of the Old University, alongside state councillor Willibald Ehrenhöfer, who represented Deputy Land Governor Manuela Khom. Several state decorations of honour in gold were also awarded at the event.

Kunasek said the women acted out of humanity rather than for recognition, and that their courage and selflessness deserved the highest respect.