For unknown reasons, the driver drove into a guardrail in the direction of Graz. The car overturned and crashed into a noise barrier while lying on its roof, police said.
The seriously injured driver was freed from the wreckage by first responders, and father and daughter were able to get out of the damaged car themselves. The 51-year-old was flown to the Kepler University Hospital in Linz by rescue helicopter, and the other two family members were taken to the Kirchdorf Hospital by ambulance. The A9 was closed until 9 a.m. during the rescue operation.
Ghost driver
A 57-year-old Croatian, who was also travelling towards Graz, ignored the red light at the St. Pankratz exit caused by the accident and tried to turn around on the motorway. A patrol from the motorway police noticed the car and reported the wrong-way driver.
