Fatal fall: 85-year-old falls into the Pielach while gardening

Fatal fall: 85-year-old falls into the Pielach while gardening

On June 25, 2025, a tragic incident occurred in the Pielachtal, St. Pölten district in Lower Austria, that cost an 85-year-old man. The senior was currently busy with gardening when he brought about a dangerous situation around 10:30 a.m. While he invited the lawn cut into a wheelbarrow, he fell from an approximately three meter high embankment and fell directly into the river bed of the Pielach.

Unfortunately, the fall caused serious and ultimately fatal injuries. Despite immediate rescue measures, the man could no longer be saved. This incident is reminiscent of the dangers that exist during gardening. According to a current report by the SVLFG on the number of accidents in horticulture, it is known that in 2022 12,602 reporting work and path accidents were registered in horticulture and in landscape maintenance, eight cases were fatal. The numbers show that accident risks in the garden activities are not to be underestimated, especially for tree felling and maintenance work.

comparison with other accidents

An unfortunate comparison is the fatal forest accident of a 68-year-old man in Mainburg, who was fatally injured on February 11, 2023 when a tree was felled. A part of the tree was torn down and hit the man. Despite immediate help, the rescue workers could not save his life, which shows the dangers in the field of forestry and gardening again.

The SVLFG continued to report that the majority of work accidents registered in 2022 occurred on construction sites in gardening and landscaping. Especially for tree felling and tree care work, there was a large number of 2,139 accidents that represent risk areas for horticulture.

risk factors and prevention measures

The accident data show that numerous people are still injured in working outdoors. The use of garden machines such as hedge trimmings, hand saws and chainsaws is particularly common with many accidents. In 2022 there were 638 accidents with hedge trimmings and 290 with hand saws, which indicates the high danger area of these activities.
Further information about occupational safety and prevention measures in horticulture are available in the current prevention report of the SVlfG.

The tragic case in the Pielachtal is an important request to be particularly careful when working in the garden and forest. The circumstances of the tragic accident are not only an isolated case, but also reflect a broader problem that affects both gardeners and lay people.