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Former Arsenal player and Austria goalkeeper Alex Manninger died tragically on Thursday after the vehicle he was driving was hit by a train at a railway crossing in Salzburg, police said. He was 48.
Manninger was not immediately identified by law enforcement, but a number of his former teammates released statements on social media confirming the news of his tragic passing.
Goalkeeper Alexander Manninger reacts during the Bundesliga match between FC Augsburg and 1899 Hoffenheim at the SGL Arena in Augsburg, Germany on February 1, 2015. (Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)
“Everyone at Arsenal is shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic passing of former goalkeeper Alex Manninger,” the team’s statement read. “All our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this incredibly sad time. Rest in peace, Alex.”
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Police told The Associated Press that Manninger was involved in a fatal “traffic accident involving a local train and a car” at a railroad crossing early Thursday morning.
“Upon arrival, emergency personnel found that the driver of the car, a 48-year-old man from Salzburg, had already been extricated from the vehicle by first responders and was undergoing CPR. Police assisted with CPR, including the use of a defibrillator. Despite further efforts by paramedics and an emergency physician, Salzburg was unable to resuscitate his death..”
Augsburg goalkeeper Alexander Manninger celebrates with fans after the Bundesliga match between FC Augsburg and Hamburger SV at the SGL Arena in Augsburg, Germany on May 14, 2016. (Micha Will/Bongarts/Getty Images)
The details of what led to the fatal wreck were not immediately known, but police said the car was struck and dragged by a train. There were no further injuries.
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The death of the former English Premier League professional sent shock waves throughout the football community.
“We mourn the loss of our former player Alexander Manninger, who tragically lost his life in a traffic accident,” wrote FC Red Bull Salzburg on X. “Our thoughts go out to his family and friends. Rest in peace, Alexander.”
“Liverpool FC is deeply saddened by the passing of former goalkeeper Alex Manninger at the age of 48,” Liverpool added in a separate post on X. “The thoughts of everyone at LFC are with Alex’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
Juventus goalkeeper Alex Manninger watches the action during their Europa League Group A match against Manchester City in Manchester, England, September 30, 2010. (Scott Heppell/AP)
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“Today is a terribly sad day. He has left us not only as a great athlete, but as a man of rare values: humility, dedication and an extraordinary professional seriousness,” Juventus said in a translated statement. “Juventus expresses its condolences for the passing of Alex Manninger and stands with the family in this moment of grief.”
Manninger won the 1998 Premier League and FA Cup with Arsenal and also won Serie A with Juventus. He played 33 games for Austria.
