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Drama in Vienna-Liesing: 20-year-old releases emergency brake and flees injured!
A 20-year-old Ukrainian is seriously injured after emergency braking on a train in Vienna-Liesing and is arrested. Motive unclear.
Drama in Vienna-Liesing: 20-year-old releases emergency brake and flees injured!
A dramatic incident occurred on September 23, 2025, when a 20-year-old Ukrainian citizen triggered an emergency brake on a train in Vienna-Liesing. The incident happened around 8:40 p.m., shortly before Atzgersdorf train station. The train driver, alarmed by the unusual incident, carried out the emergency braking while the young man suffered several serious injuries, including broken bones and a traumatic brain injury. These serious injuries required immediate medical attention.
After the accident, the injured man fled to a nearby apartment block, where he was arrested by police a short time later. The authorities suspected him of intentionally endangering the public because this was not the first incident of this kind. The 20-year-old had already triggered emergency braking on ÖBB trains several times in the past, but had always escaped the scene of the accident unharmed. Where the dangerous behavior came from remains unclear, as no motive for these acts has yet been determined.
Urgent medical care and consequences
The professional rescue service provided first aid on site and took the injured person to the shock room of a hospital. Even though he was cared for in the hospital, questions arise about the young man's mental health. Mental health is a wide-ranging issue these days. According to the WHO, around one in six people in the European Region live with a mental illness and many do not receive the treatment they need. This could also be the reason for such extremely risky behavior. At a time when the prevalence of anxiety and depression has increased worldwide, it has become apparent that not everyone is getting the support they need.
After completing the treatment, the 20-year-old was released and admitted to a psychiatric ward to receive further care. This step is important to ensure he gets the help he needs, especially given that mental illnesses often face stigma and ignorance.
Social impacts and prevention approaches
The incident has also raised broader societal questions. The importance of mental health is often not given enough attention in our society. WHO is actively committed to promoting mental health in all areas of life and reducing silo mentality within healthcare. Almost 90% of countries have reported progress in developing new approaches to mental health care and are committed to strengthening social connections and involving users in the design of approaches. It is important to address such issues to prevent future tragedies.
Overall, we continue to face the challenge of how we deal with the consequences of mental illness and how we can ensure that no one in our society is left alone when they need help.