Oberhof (dpa/th) – The mayor of Oberhof, Thomas Schulz, expressed his condolences to the relatives after the fatal accident on the bobsleigh and luge track. “I can’t believe it and I have deep sympathy,” Schulz told the German Press Agency on Friday. “My thoughts are with the family.” Such a tragic accident had never happened in his 17-year tenure. Once it has been clarified whether human error or a technical defect is responsible, lessons will be learned.
On Thursday evening, a 45-year-old man died in the ice channel in Oberhof, which is also used for leisure activities. According to the previous investigations, a guest bobsleigh had run into two hose rings, so-called ice tubes, in the finish area. The man, like a 41-year-old woman who was seriously injured, is said to have been in one of these hose rings, which laypeople can also use to drive on the train.
According to the information, the four-man bob was controlled by an experienced pilot. Other passengers were Secretary of State for Infrastructure Torsten Weil, a ministry employee and an employee of the State Forestry Agency. They suffered minor injuries.
