Four British tourists died when their car crashed in a German forest on Friday evening. The victims, two married couples in their thirties, were travelling in an Audi with British number plates when it skidded off the L3229 road through Reinhardshagen Forest in Hesse.
The car became wedged between trees after veering off the carriageway and was found lying on its side. Emergency services discovered the vehicle after an automatic crash detection system from one of the victims' mobile phones triggered an alert.
A police spokeswoman explained: "The car had the steering wheel on the right and was positioned for left-hand traffic in England. We assume that the driver was unfamiliar with the route and lost control of the car in the left-hand bend."
Crash discovery and rescue efforts
The victims were aged 32 (the male driver), 31, 30 and 32. Only the Daily Mail reports the car was found 100 feet away from the road after the devastating impact.
Ambulance teams, fire engines and police rushed to the scene. The four victims were only discovered after emergency crews removed the vehicle's roof due to extensive damage.
The traumatic nature of the scene left rescue workers deeply affected. A spokesperson for the Reinhardshagen Volunteer Fire Department said: "This high number of deaths is an extraordinary operation for our Reinhardshagen Volunteer Fire Department. For some of the emergency personnel, it is the first time they have been confronted with death in this way."
Investigation and support
The public prosecutor's office has seized the vehicle for examination. A specialist will conduct a crash reconstruction to determine the exact cause of the tragedy.
Emergency responders are receiving psychological support to help them process what they witnessed. According to the Daily Mail, the UK Foreign Office has not been approached for consular assistance but stands ready to help.
The fire department confirmed that extensive support is being provided to help emergency personnel cope with the disturbing images from the crash site.
Sources used: "Express", "Mirror", "Daily Mail" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
