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Respect for volunteers: pile-up shocks Styria!
On August 17, 2025, a truck accident on the A2 near Laßnitzhöhe led to a pile-up involving 33 vehicles and several injuries. Volunteers and emergency services worked for hours while firefighter Patric Neumeister called for more respect for volunteers.
Respect for volunteers: pile-up shocks Styria!
On August 17, 2025, a significant pile-up involving 33 vehicles occurred on the A2 near Laßnitzhöhe, Styria. A truck lost fuel over a distance of 400 meters, turning the road into a dangerous slippery slope. The consequences of the incident were serious: several people were injured, and numerous police, emergency services and volunteers were on duty for hours to care for those affected and secure the scene of the accident.
Firefighter Patric Neumeister responded to public criticism of the emergency services with a video that went viral on Facebook. In this video, which had over 670,000 views as of August 24, 2025, he expressed his displeasure at the insults directed at the volunteers by some people. Many people in traffic jams complained about the long waiting times and the lack of drinks. Neumeister urgently appealed for more respect and appreciation for voluntary work in Austria.
Appreciation for volunteers
In his video, Neumeister also made it clear that the rapid deployment of rescue workers in Austria - usually within 10 to 15 minutes - is by no means a given. In other countries, waiting for emergency services can take up to 60 minutes. This indicates the high quality of the Austrian emergency services, which are also requested internationally in the event of disasters such as floods, earthquakes or forest fires.
The response to Neumeister's appeal shows the urgency to value volunteer work. These volunteers are a mainstay of emergency services and civil protection. In today's world, when disaster control is becoming increasingly important, committed citizens are in demand.
Volunteering is key
The commitment in this area includes a wide range of tasks, including the support of major events in the medical service and initial medical care in the event of injuries. Working in special teams - for example with bicycles or drones - as well as humanitarian emergency aid abroad are also central aspects of volunteer work. People who volunteer should have openness and empathy and be willing to take part in training and further education.
The importance of volunteering in civil protection and rescue assistance is also reflected in the numerous initiatives that are already being successfully implemented in many cities such as Berlin, Hamburg and Munich. Here volunteers work in various social areas to help people in need.
In summary, the pile-up on the A2 is a sobering example of the challenges in road traffic. It is also a strong call to give those who work unpaid to ensure the safety and well-being of others the recognition and respect they deserve. As Patric Neumeister emphasizes in his appeal, there needs to be more appreciation for volunteers in order to promote a solidarity-based and supportive society.
For further information about volunteer work in emergency services and civil protection, visit the website Johanniter and the 5min as well as the Small newspaper.