Elderly driver loses control on icy A31, crashes into guardrails and call box
A serious traffic accident took place on the A31 near Haren in Emsland on Monday afternoon. The crash involved a 77-year-old driver who lost control of his car max on icy roads while changing lanes. Emergency services responded quickly to the scene at 15:26.
The driver, behind the wheel of a Nissan Qashqai, skidded on the slippery surface and collided with multiple guardrail sections. The car max also struck and destroyed an emergency call box before coming to a stop. A total of ten guardrail sections were damaged in the process.
The force of the crash left the car undriveable, requiring a tow truck to remove it from the motorway. The driver suffered serious injuries and was rushed to hospital for treatment. His 61-year-old passenger escaped with minor injuries. Police later reminded motorists to adapt their speed and driving behaviour to winter conditions. Authorities have not released the driver's name in official reports.
The accident caused significant damage to roadside infrastructure and left one person seriously injured. Investigations into the incident continue, with police emphasising caution during icy weather. The A31 remained partially affected while recovery operations took place.
