The Swiss voice in the world since 1935
Login
Aging society

McDonald’s executive dies in bike plunge

The managing director of McDonald's Switzerland has been killed in a mountain bike accident in the Swiss Alps.

This content was published on
1 minute

Martin Knoll, a 51-year-old Austrian, was touring in a group when he lost his balance and plunged about 50 metres in the Engstlenalp area in canton Bern, the company’s website announced on Sunday.

His body had to be recovered by helicopter after the accident, which occurred on Friday.

The area of the accident is popular with mountain bikers but police describe it as “challenging”. On the exposed stretch where Knoll fell, notices advise bikers to dismount.

Knoll had been with McDonald’s since 1993 and headed the business in Switzerland and Liechtenstein since 2003.

swissinfo.ch and agencies

A smartphone displays the SWIplus app with news for Swiss citizens abroad. Next to it, a red banner with the text: ‘Stay connected with Switzerland’ and a call to download the app.

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

More

Debate
Hosted by: Dorian Burkhalter

Is there a future for the humanitarian sector? What should it look like?

With key donors cutting aid budgets, the humanitarian sector faces a crisis. What strategies can organisations adopt to navigate this challenge?

Join the discussion
6 Likes
7 Comments
View the discussion

More

Debate
Hosted by: Marc Leutenegger

What are your experiences with housing shortages and rising property prices?

Switzerland is steering towards a housing crisis. Are there solutions?

Join the discussion
25 Likes
36 Comments
View the discussion

More

Debate
Hosted by: Pauline Turuban

Did you immigrate to Switzerland? What are your experiences?

What were the circumstances of your immigration to Switzerland? And what motivated your decision to stay or leave?

Join the discussion
21 Likes
43 Comments
View the discussion
More Debates

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

Read more

More

British tax hike forces McDonald’s to Geneva

This content was published on The American burger giant is the most prominent in a line of companies to move away from London after Britain announced it would introduce more stringent taxes for profits earned on intellectual property rights abroad. Earlier this year, international publishing group Informa, relocated to Geneva to take advantage of favourable tax conditions and Switzerland’s growing…

Read more: British tax hike forces McDonald’s to Geneva

More

Winter sports enthusiasts underestimate danger

This content was published on Lack of experience and local knowledge are often the main factors behind accidents and 16 people have lost their lives in off-piste avalanches and falls so far this winter season. Particularly tragic are the cases involving children, such as the eight-year old boy who suffocated in deep snow earlier this week near Laax in eastern…

Read more: Winter sports enthusiasts underestimate danger

More

Non-work accidents exceed one million

This content was published on A study by the Council for Accident Prevention (CAP) shows that half of the costs incurred – which equate to three per cent of gross domestic product – relate to road accidents, although these only account for one in ten of the total number. Carried out with research company Ecoplan, the study also looked at…

Read more: Non-work accidents exceed one million

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR