Driver dies in tragic accident in Schortens – investigations underway!

Driver dies in tragic accident in Schortens – investigations underway!

A tragic accident shook Schortens in the Friesland district on Thursday evening. In the incident on Oldenburger Straße (K 294), an 84-year-old driver lost control of his vehicle while driving around a curve and crashed into a bridge pillar. The accident occurred on October 2, 2025 at around 6:00 p.m. and was fatal for the senior, who died at the scene of the accident, despite immediate attempts at resuscitation by first responders n-tv.de reports.

Rescue workers were quickly called to the scene and freed the driver from the badly damaged car. Unfortunately, their efforts were not enough to save the man's life. To make matters worse, four of the emergency services suffered minor injuries due to smoke emissions from the vehicle during the rescue. They were able to receive medical care on site and were then released.

Investigations and support

The police in Jever immediately began investigating the cause of the accident. In addition, emergency pastoral care staff were available to look after the relatives of the deceased and the first responders who may be emotionally burdened by the traumatic experience and what happened. The tragedy of the accident raises questions, especially given the age of the driver.

Older drivers like the person involved in the accident are often discussed when it comes to road safety. According to the ADAC it is known that the ability to react and eyesight can decline with increasing age. These natural changes mean that seniors should self-critically examine their ability to drive. Despite the figures showing that over 50% of pedestrians and cyclists who are fatally injured are 65 years of age or older, older road users are often more at risk than dangerous.

Driving safety in old age

A look at the statistics shows that people aged 65 and over caused around 18.5% of traffic accidents resulting in personal injury in 2023, which is lower than their share of the population of around 22%. This insight highlights that a blanket assumption about the ability of older drivers is not justified. The ADAC therefore recommends regular medical examinations, especially of your eyesight, and checking your own health.

For older road users, the ADAC offers programs such as the driving fitness check and driving safety training, which serve to optimize driving style and identify any potential for improvement. Such offers help you to travel safely and independently even in old age. Ultimately, a forward-looking driving style can often combat age-related loss of performance and gives older drivers a good hand in traffic.

The events in Schortens not only remind us to be careful, but also to show appreciation for our older fellow human beings on the road. Because safety is a top priority for all road users.