Austria in shock at Heider death

Austria is coming to terms with the shock death of far-right leader Joerg Haider in a car accident.

The nationalist politician had been travelling to his home near Klagenfurt in the early hours of this morning to celebrate his mother’s 90th birthday.

Police say his government car skidded out of control after overtaking another vehicle. It hit a concrete barrier and overturned several times. Fifty-eight year old Haider was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.

Mourners have been laying wreaths, candles and notes of condolence at the crash site.

The populist Haider led the resurgence of the extreme-right in Austrian politics.

His opposition to rising immigration and the European Union won him many supporters.

Controversial comments including a reference to Nazi concentration camps as “punishment camps” also made him one of Austria’s most divisive politicians.

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