Southern Germany is grappling with hazardous winter conditions, leading to numerous accidents and disruptions on roadways. A series of incidents, including a vehicle fire and multiple collisions, have snarled traffic and prompted warnings for drivers.
Service:
Update, 1:01 PM – Truck and Car Collision Near Evenhausen
A collision between a truck and a passenger car occurred near Evenhausen this morning. The truck driver was entering a roundabout from the RO35 when it collided with a BMW already in the circle.
The truck driver lost control and veered off the road. The BMW sustained significant damage and required towing. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, according to police in Wasserburg.
Update, 12:30 PM – Snow and Ice Lead to 75 Incidents in Southern Bavaria
Winter weather continues to grip Bavaria. Ongoing snowfall and icy conditions have led to a surge in accidents overnight. Police reported a significant increase in incidents, particularly in Upper Bavaria and Swabia.
Dozens of Incidents in Upper Bavaria and Swabia
Police in southern Upper Bavaria reported around 75 incidents related to snow and ice. Most involved property damage, with twelve people sustaining minor injuries. Fortunately, there were no reports of serious injuries. Vehicles collided with guardrails and ended up in ditches. Fallen trees similarly posed a hazard. There were also more accidents than usual in northern Upper Bavaria, though no injuries were reported there.
In Lower Franconia, the situation had calmed by Thursday evening. However, police there responded to more than 100 incidents up to that point.
In the area covered by the Schwaben Nord police precinct, officers responded to 20 accidents with minor damage. Several trucks became stuck due to the snow. Road maintenance crews typically freed the drivers, but firefighters were called to assist in one instance.
Serious Accident Involving Bus in Upper Palatinate
A serious accident occurred in the Neumarkt district of Upper Palatinate on Thursday evening. A 30-year-old woman lost control of her car and collided with a bus. The woman sustained serious injuries and was taken to a hospital. The bus driver and a 17-year-old passenger suffered minor injuries. Damage is estimated at around €100,000.
Rail Disruptions
Rail service has also been affected. The line between Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Innsbruck is closed after a tree fell on the tracks, damaging the overhead lines. Trains from Munich are now terminating at the Garmisch-Partenkirchen station. In Middle Franconia, a tree fell on the line between Roßtal and Ansbach, also damaging overhead lines and halting service. The S4 line between Nuremberg and Crailsheim is also affected, with replacement bus service in place.
The snow is expected to turn to rain over the weekend, with temperatures rising significantly. Forecasts predict temperatures of up to 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit) on Sunday, but icy conditions are still possible, especially in eastern Bavaria.
Update, 11:05 AM – Winter Service Worker Dies in Austria
A tragic accident occurred in Linz, Austria this morning around 7:30 AM. A winter service worker struck a colleague with his snowplow and then ran him over. The man died at the scene. Emergency responders were unable to save him. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation.
Update, 10:35 AM – Numerous Flight Cancellations in Munich
The strong snowfall has disrupted flight operations at Munich Airport. Departures and arrivals are experiencing delays or cancellations, . 100 flights were canceled on Thursday, and 50 more were canceled by this morning, a spokesperson said. Passengers flying from Munich today are advised to contact their airline for the latest information.
Update, 9:55 AM – Bus Hit by Avalanche in Tyrol
A frightening incident unfolded in the Tyrolean Lech Valley this morning. Around 5:00 AM, a bus was struck by an avalanche near Bach (Reutte district). “There were a total of twelve people on the bus. Fortunately, all passengers and the driver were unharmed,” a bus company representative told Austrian media. Rescue crews used two wheel loaders to free the bus from the snow. It will then be lifted back onto the road with heavy equipment.
Update, 9:15 AM – Accident on A8 Involving Multiple Vehicles
On Thursday, firefighters also responded to an accident on the A8 (Munich–Salzburg). Fire departments from Bernau, Frasdorf, Wildenwart and Söllhuben responded to a crash involving multiple vehicles between the Achenmühle and Frasdorf exits. “Whereas the Bernau fire department secured the scene with a traffic safety trailer, other fire departments were able to work on the accident,” the Bernau fire department said on its Facebook page. .
Update, 8:45 AM – Several Accidents in the Mühldorf District
In the area covered by the Mühldorf highway patrol, several accidents occurred starting late Thursday afternoon. A 48-year-old man from Heldenstein was driving a BMW on the A94 towards Passau around 5:00 PM when he lost control due to the slippery road conditions and collided with the right guardrail. The car had to be towed.
Around 5:30 PM, a 25-year-old man in a van crashed into the guardrail on the A94 near Heldenstein due to the winter conditions. That vehicle also had to be towed. A 33-year-old Romanian man was driving on the A94 towards Passau around 6:15 PM when he veered off the road due to the weather. The car hit the guardrail but remained drivable. And around 9:10 PM, a 41-year-old man from Neuötting lost control of his Opel between Mühldorf-Nord and Töging on the A94. The vehicle went into the ditch and had to be towed.
Update, 7:35 AM – Snow to Turn to Rain
The weather is expected to improve over the weekend, with temperatures rising. According to the German Weather Service (DWD), temperatures could reach up to 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit) on Sunday. However, icy conditions are still possible, especially in eastern Bavaria.
Update, 6:20 AM – Accidents in the Traunstein District
Two accidents were also reported in the Traunstein district. On Thursday evening, a driver from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern lost control of his Citroën near Siegsdorf “due to speed not adjusted to the winter road conditions” and crashed into a guardrail. The 46-year-old man sustained a minor arm injury and was taken to a hospital as a precaution. The vehicle was towed.
And early this morning around 12:30 AM, a 20-year-old man from Altenmarkt/Alz was driving on the 2095 state road from Axdorf towards Traunstein when he lost control due to the icy conditions and veered off the road to the left. The car hit a tree, but the young man was unharmed. The Volvo sustained approximately €15,000 in damage.
The Initial Report:
Winter has returned to Bavaria, bringing hazardous conditions and disruptions to travel. Roads were slow-moving on Thursday, with snow removal crews working to clear the way. A series of weather-related accidents were reported, with police in Upper Bavaria South reporting mostly minor property damage and injuries. A vehicle fire and multiple collisions snarled traffic on the A8 between Salzburg and Munich.
Three Seriously Injured on A99
A serious accident occurred on the A99 (Munich bypass) on Thursday evening. A car lost control while entering the “Lohwald West” parking area in winter conditions and collided with a parked semi-trailer. The car was partially crushed under the trailer. A 51-year-old man, his 47-year-old wife, and their 10-year-old daughter were seriously injured, according to the Hohenbrunn highway patrol.
Earlier Thursday evening, a crash occurred on the B172 near Kössen in Tyrol. A vehicle lost control on the icy road and collided head-on with another car. Three people – a 22-year-old Austrian, a 64-year-old German man, and his wife – were injured and received medical attention. The road was completely closed between Walchsee and Kössen.
Numerous Incidents in Northern Bavaria
The A3 (Nuremberg – Frankfurt) also experienced traffic disruptions. Police reported more than 100 weather-related incidents, including 63 traffic accidents, in the Lower Franconia region. Bus service on some routes was temporarily suspended and resumed in the afternoon. The city of Würzburg said that garbage collection was disrupted in some areas.
Rail Line Closed in Upper Bavaria
Rail service has also been affected. The line between Murnau and Oberammergau has been closed after a tree fell on the tracks. Replacement bus service has been established. The German Weather Service (DWD) forecasts more than 20 centimeters of snow in some parts of southern Bavaria. The agency warned of slippery roads and reduced visibility.
High Avalanche Danger in the Mountains
The mountains also pose a risk. The Bavarian Avalanche Warning Service issued a level four (high) avalanche danger warning for areas above 1,600 meters in the Allgäu and Werdenfelser Alps. Cracks in the snowpack and “wumph” sounds indicate the danger. A moderate danger level (two) was issued for areas below 1,600 meters. Temperatures are expected to rise significantly over the weekend, according to the German Weather Service (DWD). (mw)
