Telehandler falls over an embankment: Fire brigade saves the day in Lembach!
On June 27, 2025, a telehandler fell over an embankment in Lembach im Mühlkreis. Emergency services did not save anyone.

Telehandler falls over an embankment: Fire brigade saves the day in Lembach!
On June 27, 2025, there was a remarkable operation by the local fire department in Lembach im Mühlkreis, Rohrbach district. A telehandler fell over an embankment during mulching work. The alarm was given with the keyword “person under vehicle/machine”, which immediately called the emergency services of two fire departments to the scene. Fortunately, it turned out that no one was trapped under the vehicle.
The Altenfelden fire department quickly took over measures to secure the situation. Among the specific actions was setting up the telehandler with a winch. In addition, spilled oil was bound to prevent environmental damage. The telehandler was removed from the roadway using a wheel loader and the road was cleared to ensure safety for other road users. These quick reactions underline the professionalism and efficiency of the emergency services in Lembach.
Flexible application options for telehandlers
Telescopic handlers are becoming increasingly important in the fire service sector. More and more fire departments are using these multifunctional vehicles. They can be used in a variety of areas: from site logistics to clearing snow to removing debris and scattering traces of oil. The Mauerkirchen fire department in Austria in particular has purchased a telehandler, the Merlo P 40.17 Plus, which has proven to be extremely useful.
The Merlo P 40.17 Plus can be equipped with various attachments and is designed for rescue, firefighting and assistance. A platform is available for firefighting, which can be used up to a height of around 17 meters. This innovative vehicle was developed in collaboration with the Mauch company, which is responsible for the water supply systems that are also integrated into the deployment.
The current market overview of telehandlers for fire departments looks at the different models and their possible uses. The December issue will also provide valuable information on purchasing such vehicles and extensive experiences from firefighters. A balance between technical innovation and practical applicability ultimately determines the success of these multifunctional vehicles in the fire service sector.
You can find further details about the incident in Lembach and the versatile uses of telehandlers in the articles from Tips and Fire department magazine read up.