Ecumenical service at the Oktoberfest for killed security employees

At an ecumenical service at Oktoberfest, hundreds of people remembered an employee who died in an accident. There is a shadow on these happy days, said Pastor Sascha Ellinghaus. “The death of someone at the Oktoberfest fills us with deep sadness in the joy of this festival.”

Therefore, everyone should remain mindful of those for whom the holidays are associated with pain. Those attending the service silently remembered the man who was killed. The service in the Marstall tent is aimed at showman families, meadow innkeepers and market merchants, but other guests are also traditionally invited.

The cause of the accident is still unclear

The 52-year-old security employee of the “Hangover” ride - an 85-meter-high freefall tower - was hit and trapped by the descending gondola on Monday evening at around 9:50 p.m. According to the ride's homepage, the falling speed from the tower is up to 90 kilometers per hour.

It is still unclear at what speed the man, who came from Serbia, was hit. Before the gondola reaches the bottom, it slows down significantly. The man suffered injuries so severe that he died.

The cause of the accident has not yet been clarified. According to the operator, there were no indications of a technical defect. The public order office then released the ride again.