[ad_1]
After a four-year-old boy was killed on Saturday in Mendlingtal in Göstling ad Ybbs (Scheibbs district) by a fir tree that was uprooted by the storm, the St. Pölten prosecutor’s office launched an investigation. These are directed against the mayor of Göstlinger, Friedrich Fahrnberger (ÖVP) and against a community employee, spokesman Leopold Bien said on Monday. It must be checked whether there was an allegation of negligence, justified the further investigation by the police against the KURIER.
The focus of the investigation is the launch of the adventure world on Saturday around 12 noon. As reported, the Mendling Valley had previously been closed due to the storm. “It will be necessary to clarify whether the release justifies a negligent accusation or not,” emphasized Bien. Around 1:45 p.m., a 72-year-old grandmother and her three grandchildren were struck by a storm-downed tree in the middle of the road. The four-year-old boy was mortally wounded.
Control step
The Göstling an der Ybbs community acts as the operator of the adventure world. Before the tour destination is unlocked for visitors, a construction expert and a community representative or operations manager conduct a daily safety inspection. This inspection also took place on Saturday afternoon, Fahrnberger explained.
Because the strong morning wind had subsided, the decision was made to open the hiking area, according to the local chief, who is obviously weighed down by this decision afterwards. “Nature has shown how powerful it is,” Fahrnberger said. Prosecutor Bien said that one of the focuses of the investigation was whether mistakes were made in assessing the weather situation and obtaining information or whether there was negligence.
After a very successful season with a record number of visitors, Mendling Valley will be closed for now. This is also communicated on the Mendling Valley home page.
