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Former Arsenal player and Austrian goalkeeper Alex Manninger tragically died on Thursday after the vehicle he was driving was hit by a train at a railway crossing in Salzburg, police said. He was 48 years old.
Manninger was not immediately identified by authorities, but several of his former teams issued statements on social media confirming the news of his tragic death.
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.
“Upon arrival, emergency services discovered that the driver of the car, a 48-year-old man from Salzburg, had already been freed from the vehicle by first responders and was undergoing CPR. Police assisted with resuscitation efforts, including the use of a defibrillator. Despite additional efforts by paramedics and an emergency room doctor, resuscitation was unsuccessful. The man from Salzburg succumbed to his injuries.”
Augsburg goalkeeper Alexander Manninger celebrates with his 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)
Details of what caused the fatal accident were not immediately known, but police said the car was hit and dragged by a train. No additional injuries were reported.
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The death of the former English Premier League professional shocked the entire 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 are with 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 the Europa League Group A match against Manchester City in Manchester, England on 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 exceptional values: humility, dedication and extraordinary professional seriousness,” Juventus said in a translated statement. “Juventus expresses its condolences for the death of Alex Manninger and supports the family in this time of pain.”
Manninger won the Premier League and FA Cup in 1998 with Arsenal and also won Serie A with Juventus. He played 33 games for Austria.
