A newly-wed fitness influencer has died following a horrific road collision involving a former downhill skier while cycling through the Dolomites in northern Italy during her honeymoon.
Crash Details and Aftermath
Laura Viktoria Hartig, 30, a German content creator with over 51,000 Instagram followers, was descending the Passo Sella mountain pass on June 23 when she collided head-on with a motorcycle ridden uphill by former Italian downhill skier Peter Runggaldier, 57. The impact was so violent that Hartig's bicycle reportedly snapped in two, and both riders were thrown several metres onto the road.
Emergency crews, including two rescue helicopters, rushed to the scene. Hartig was airlifted to a hospital in Bolzano in critical condition and later transferred to a specialist clinic in Bavaria, Germany, to be closer to her family. Despite doctors' efforts, she died from her injuries on July 12 after spending nearly three weeks in intensive care.
Victim and Survivor
Hartig had married her husband Tilman just days before the couple headed to the mountains for their honeymoon. She was well known online for sharing videos of hiking, cycling and outdoor adventures in the Alps. In her final Instagram post, shared weeks before the crash, she uploaded footage from her wedding ceremony in the Dolomites, captioned: "Soulmate for life."
Runggaldier, who won two Alpine Ski World Cup races, reportedly suffered multiple fractures and abdominal injuries but survived. He wrote on Instagram: "Regarding the serious road accident I was involved in, I ask you to respect my moment of grief and my need for privacy. My thoughts are with all those involved and their families. I trust in your compassion."
Investigation Ongoing
Italian police are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the collision. A statement from local police on Facebook said: "Road accident. This morning the force attended a road accident at Passo Sella, kilometer 32+400. A motorcycle and a bicycle were involved. Traffic was stuck for about an hour. Intervened in support of the Canazei VVF, the White Cross of Canazei, Trentino emergency and the helicopter services."
