Driver seriously injured in crash series on Germany’s A8

A 51-year-old driver was seriously injured in a series of crashes on the A8 near Denkendorf in the Esslingen district, police said. Three cars were involved.

The man’s car reportedly skidded on the A8 toward Stuttgart on Saturday after he lost control on the rain-soaked road, apparently because he was driving too fast. It struck the central barrier and came to rest across the highway.

A 43-year-old woman stopped on the merging lane of a nearby service station to provide first aid. Shortly afterward, a 28-year-old driver on the left lane hit the stranded car. The force of the collision pushed his vehicle into the trailer attached to the woman’s car.

The 51-year-old became trapped inside his vehicle and firefighters freed him. He was taken to hospital with serious injuries. The other two drivers escaped injury. Two of the three vehicles could no longer be driven and had to be towed. Police put the total damage at about 35,000 euros. Two lanes remained closed during the investigation and road cleanup.