Former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger has died at the age of 48 after his car was struck by a train.
Police said the incident occurred at around 08:20 local time near Salzburg, at a level crossing. Emergency responders attempted to save Manninger after freeing him from the vehicle, which had been dragged by the train, but were unable to revive him.
Authorities confirmed he was alone in the car, while the train driver was not injured.
Manninger made 64 appearances for Arsenal between 1997 and 2002, winning both the Premier League and the FA Cup. He also earned 33 caps for Austria and was part of the squad for UEFA Euro 2008 on home soil.
Paying tribute, Austrian Football Association sporting director Peter Schottel said: “Alexander Manninger was an outstanding ambassador for Austrian football, both on and off the pitch.
“His professionalism, composure and reliability made him an integral part of his teams and the national team.
“His achievements deserve the utmost respect and will be unforgettable.”
Manninger began his career with Red Bull Salzburg and went on to play for several clubs across Europe, including Juventus, Udinese and FC Augsburg. He later signed a short-term deal with Liverpool in 2016 at the age of 39, though he did not make an appearance.
At Arsenal, Manninger was largely understudy to David Seaman but stepped in during the latter part of the 1997–98 season when the England international was injured. He played a key role in Arsenal’s FA Cup sixth-round victory over West Ham United and impressed in a notable win against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
His performances earned him the Premier League Player of the Month award for March 1998.
