A married couple were killed by a hurtling freight train a day after the wife revealed she was moving to Monaco.
Markus Leitner drove the family Mazda containing his wife Nikoleta onto a level crossing in Leibnitz, south Austria.
A goods train smashed into the vehicle, instantly killing the 32-year-old man and his 29-year-old wife who sat in the passenger seat.
The tragedy orphaned three children including a baby.
Local media said that the level crossing did not have a barrier, but the warning lights were working at the time.
The train driver claimed Markus stopped before reaching the tracks, before suddenly accelerating into the train’s path.
The train operator made an emergency stop but could not prevent the train from crashing into the Mazda and dragging the vehicle for more than 100 metres.
The day before the incident, beauty therapist and stylist Nikoleta announced on Facebook that she was leaving Austria for Monaco.
She wrote: “Hello dear customers. I have some good news and some bad news for you. The good news is, I am offering hair extensions for 150 EUR (135 GBP). The bad news is, the location of ‘Niko and Beauty’ is moving to Monaco.”
It is not yet known whether her husband was planning to move with her.
Police spokesperson Fritz Grundnig said: “The possibility that the passenger was murdered while the driver committed suicide cannot be ruled out at this point.”
The investigation continues.
