Born dead – bathing drama in the Danube around ORF legend Peter Elstner


He was one of the most famous sports editors in the country, his saying after a soccer team victory to the then coach Josef Hickersberger “Pepi, let me eini” in front of the dressing room is unforgettable – now reporter legend Peter Elstner is dead! The 81-year-old died on Sunday evening in a bathing drama in the New Danube.

Peter Elstner went to school together with the other ORF sports legend Heinz Prüller. He has been reporting on major sporting events from all over the world for the radio since the 1970s. Including many football world and European championships, but also ski jumping and the Olympic Games.

Legendary scene with Hickersberger
The scene with Elstner waiting in front of the locked Austrian team cabin after the 3-0 triumph in the decisive World Cup qualifier against the GDR in 1989 is also legendary. But the then trainer Josef “Pepi” Hickersberger did not let him in. In 2001 he went into (un) retirement.

Video: From minute 4:23: “Pepi, let me alone”

Jumped off the bathing platform
Now the bath drama about the now 81-year-old Viennese. Peter Elstner wanted to cool off on Sunday evening in the New Danube in the 22nd district. Shortly after 9 p.m. he jumped from a bathing platform into the water – and did not appear again.

Video: Peter Elstner sings on March 31, 2021 in the “Krone” studio with online sports director Michael Fally Pirron and Knapp

Always associated with the “crown”
Incidentally, Peter Elstner made his first journalistic steps in Vienna in the “Krone” house, at that time still with the “Express”, which was later merged with the “Krone”. After that, he became one of the most important sports presenters in the country.

Despite the rapid rescue of the divers, an emergency doctor could only determine the death of Peter Elstner. Sporty companions and the ORF mourn …