First victim of the flood

Town mourns the loss of a deserving firefighter (75)

(Bild: Freiwillige Feuerwehr Rust, APA/Georg Hochmuth, Krone KREATIV)

There is great sadness in the small local fire department of Rust in the district of Tulln. Honorary commander Franz H., one of the most deserving, experienced and level-headed firefighters, has become a victim of the flood disaster that is currently affecting the entire country.

H., who only recently celebrated his 75th birthday, had once again gone on duty as a reservist on Saturday to support his comrades in the fight against the floods.

The still very sprightly volunteer had been helping with emergency pumping out work in a cellar when he suddenly tripped over a staircase, hit the concrete and succumbed to his serious injuries.

Franz H. (75) was helping as a reservist, fell down a staircase during emergency pump-out work and died.

(Bild: Freiwillige Feuerwehr Rust, APA/Georg Hochmuth, Krone KREATIV)

"The shock in the village runs deep"
"We still can't get our heads around this accident. The shock in the fire brigade and in the whole town about the loss runs deep," said Bernhard Heinl, the mayor of the responsible municipality of Michelhausen, who was fighting back tears in the "Krone" interview.

Despite their grief, his comrades continued to fight admirably against the flood and the rising waters of the Perschling, which was beginning to overflow as this issue went to press.

The dam crest was reached around midday. As in dozens of other places, some of the power had to be switched off because the flood had also reached the local transformer station.