Ex Arsenal Liverpool and Juventus goalkeeper Alex Manninger dies in tragic car crash

Alexander Manninger launched his professional journey at Austria Salzburg and in 1997 became the inaugural Austrian player to sign with Arsenal in the Premier League.

He featured in 39 matches for the Gunners and claimed the league title along with the FA Cup in a remarkable double during the 1997/98 campaign.

The Austrian national dedicated much of his subsequent career to Serie A. Across Italy's premier league he accumulated 137 outings with his standout spells at AC Siena and Juventus where he served as deputy to Gianluigi Buffon and appeared five times in the Champions League.

Following his stint in Turin the Salzburg born player transferred to the German Bundesliga with FC Augsburg before concluding his playing days at Liverpool.

Manninger represented Austria 33 times and was part of their UEFA Euro 2008 team as the backup goalkeeper.

Details surrounding the incident remain uncertain

The collision happened around 8:20am local time at an unprotected railway crossing close to Pabing in Salzburg. Manninger's car struck a regional train. Roughly 25 travellers and the locomotive operator escaped injury.

Rescue teams responded swiftly yet despite immediate medical efforts Manninger passed away at the location.

Probe into the incident proceeds

Authorities are still examining the precise reasons behind the crash. Manninger was the sole occupant of the vehicle during the event.