01. 07. 10. - 16:00

Petrol station crash driver 'was lovesick drug addict'

A driver who crashed into a petrol station in Tyrol earlier this week has been identified as a 24-year-old Swede.

Police said today (Thurs) Eric E. was suspected of having committed suicide as he rammed his BMW into several petrol pumps before careering into the Agip station’s shop on Tuesday.

Investigators said the man – who did not leave a farewell note – relocated to the Salzburg ski resort of Saalbach a few years ago. They said he worked as a waiter and spent a lot of time boarding on the area’s slopes.

Eric E. was hospitalised at a psychiatric clinic after his Austrian girlfriend broke up with him, according to reports.

Local media also have it that he had been addicted to drugs.

The 24-year-old died instantly in his detonated car on Tuesday, while a 54-year-old Japanese tourist passed away at a clinic hours after the incident. The man was fuelling his hired car when Eric E. crashed into the station.

Police stressed it was a miracle only two of the around one dozen people present at the station near the A13 Brenner motorway’s Matrei exit when the incident occurred suffered minor injuries.

Station manager Martin Jenewein admitted he still could not believe what happened. "I dashed outside immediately after hearing a loud bang," he said.