Former Arsenal Goalkeeper Alexander Manninger Dies in Austria Train Collision at Age 48

Fatal Collision Details

Former Arsenal and Juventus

Goalkeeper Alexander Manninger died at the age of 48 after his vehicle was hit by a regional train at an unguarded railway crossing in Austria.

The collision occurred at approximately 8:20am near the village of Nußdorf am Haunsberg in the Salzburg region, just beyond the Pabing stop. Manninger's VW minivan was dragged several metres along the track after the impact, and he was the sole occupant of the vehicle, which sustained severe damage.

Emergency services, including the Red Cross and volunteer firefighters from Nußdorf, rushed to the scene following the crash.

Rescuers extracted Manninger from the wreckage and attempted resuscitation using a defibrillator. The approximately 25 passengers on the local train were unhurt, and the train driver was unhurt.

Investigation Underway

The public prosecutor's office commissioned forensic expert Gerhard Kronreif to reconstruct the collision.

Investigators will analyze electronic data from the vehicle and train. Investigators will determine if warning signals at the unguarded crossing activated correctly.

Career Background

Manninger represented Austria on 33 occasions.

Manninger played for Juventus Turin, AC Fiorentina, and Liverpool. Manninger retired in 2017. Manninger was born in the city of Salzburg on 4 June 1977. Manninger developed his talents through the Austria Salzburg youth system.

Manninger had spells with Vorwärts Steyr and GAK before moving to Arsenal in 1997.