The accident in the Gratkorntunnel Nord (towards Graz) was one of many on Monday: rush hour traffic, heavy rain and the start of school caused many problems in Styria – especially on the Pyhrn motorway (A 9). By 4 p.m., six operations had to be carried out there.
Rear-end collision causes kilometer-long traffic jam
At around 12:20 p.m., a 24-year-old car driver noticed an open door on the loading area of a truck (articulated lorry) driving in front of her. Fearing that cargo could fall out, she drove in front of the heavy vehicle, slowed down the truck and finally stopped it so that both vehicles came to a stop in the tunnel. Some vehicles following behind were able to swerve, but a truck driven by a 57-year-old from the Czech Republic was unable to stop or swerve in time and drove into the back of the stationary truck, causing it to collide with the car.
The chaos resulted in several traffic restrictions. “The traffic jam extends all the way back to the Schartnerkogel tunnel,” said Asfinag in the early afternoon. The tunnel was ultimately closed until just after 6 p.m. This was because the truck’s load had to be reloaded and diesel had also leaked out. One person was seriously injured, the police confirmed.
Meanwhile, traffic was diverted to the B67 near Peggau. A kilometer-long traffic jam formed in front of the tunnel. Everything is at a standstill, “now and then children go to the toilet. And men,” writes one driver. “There are also massive traffic jams on the S35 in front of the Peggau-Deutschfeistritz junction,” warns the antenna.
Long traffic jam on the A9 to Graz – but the emergency lane is observed © KSchwa
Into Seltzhal: Between the Selzthal junction and the Ardning motorway exit, a truck came off the road at around 7.45 a.m. and ended up in the ditch.
Truck ended up in a ditch © FF Rottemann
The Selzthal and Rottenmann fire departments were dispatched, the driver was able to climb out of the cab beforehand. The emergency doctor and the Red Cross were on site.
Further accidents on the A9: In the area between Kammern and Traboch, a station wagon went off the road at around 8.45 a.m., but no one was injured.
Car landed next to the A 9 © FF Kammern
At the Deutschfeistritz junction in the direction of Linz, the right lane was closed after an accident. A car landed on its roof. The accident between the two Gratkorn tunnels has now been cleared. More Details on Antenne Steiermark.
Rear-end collision in the Gratkorn tunnel © Held