Champion figure skater Julia Marie Gaiser, 23, killed by lorry while cycling in Salzburg

Julia Marie Gaiser, a 23-year-old champion figure skater, was killed after being struck by a lorry while cycling in Salzburg on Thursday afternoon, authorities said.

Police and emergency services responded to the collision at about 2:30 p.m. local time. Gaiser was riding on a bike route and attempted to continue across an intersection as a truck turned right into her path. Emergency responders were unable to resuscitate her and she was declared dead at the scene, the Red Cross reported.

Local authorities opened an investigation into the circumstances of the crash. A breathalyzer test administered to the truck driver returned a negative result, and early details indicate Gaiser may have been in the driver’s blind spot at the time of impact, officials said.

Gaiser was originally from Brixen in South Tyrol and had been studying at a university in Salzburg. She was a three-time Salzburg state champion in 2023, 2024 and 2025 and competed for the Rot-Weiß Salzburg figure skating club. Teammates and coaches described her as a rising talent who also taught young skaters and had expressed an interest in becoming a coach.

Friends recalled her work ethic and personality in published tributes. "She repeated exercises alone, trained even beyond the scheduled time, always trying to improve," friends told the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero. "She was a special athlete, a girl capable of encouraging herself and others while always keeping her feet on the ground." Another friend said she was "a kind girl, always smiling, who loved her sport and was now working hard to become a coach. She wanted to pass on her passion to others."

Andreas Jungmann, the mayor of Brixen, said residents were shocked by the news and expressed condolences to Gaiser’s family, Markus and Elke, in remarks to RaiNews. "She was not only an outstanding athlete, but also a role model for many," he said.

The Salzburg Ice Team issued a statement saying Gaiser had left "an unforgettable mark on the ice" and remembered her for talent, discipline and charisma. The club added that off the ice she was "a radiant person: her laughter and shining eyes filled every room," and noted her enthusiasm and patience in teaching children’s courses.

Small tributes, including candles, were placed near the site of the collision. Local investigators continue to gather evidence and review CCTV and witness statements to determine the sequence of events that led to the collision.

Authorities have not announced any charges. The investigation remains ongoing as officials seek to establish a full account of what happened and whether additional safety measures at the intersection are warranted.