A 23-year-old figure skater was killed when she was struck by a turning lorry while cycling at a busy junction.
Julia Marie Gaiser was riding along a bike path when the tragedy occurred.
Despite immediate resuscitation efforts, she died at the scene.
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The lorry driver tested negative for alcohol.
Authorities in Salzburg, Austria, are now investigating the circumstances of the crash last Thursday (11 Sept) afternoon.
Originally from Brixen in Italy’s South Tyrol region, Gaiser began her skating career with Wintersportverein Brixen.
She went on to join the Italian national team before moving to Salzburg a few years ago to study at university.
Like many athletes from South Tyrol, she later chose to compete for Austria, as reported by Need To Know.
She won three consecutive Salzburg state titles between 2023 and 2025 and regularly finished in the top 10 at the Austrian national championships.
Anneliese Schenk of the Italian Ice Sports Federation said: “She started skating later than usual for our sport – around the age of eight, when many girls begin at just four or five.
“Even so, Marie managed to achieve strong results thanks to her daily training. Skating was her whole world, and she lived the sport with immense passion.”
Alongside her own career, Gaiser coached young skaters and was studying for a future in sports management.
She is survived by her parents, Markus and Elke.
Brixen’s mayor, Andreas Jungmann, said: “We are all deeply, deeply shaken. She was not only an outstanding athlete but also a role model for many.”
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