Man Dies During Sleep Test At Austrian Hospital

Authorities in Austria have ordered an autopsy after a man died in a sleep lab last month.

The 50-year-old man – identity not disclosed – reportedly died during an overnight sleep at Salzburg University Hospital in Austria between 21st and 22nd June.

He was reportedly admitted to the sleep lab after a medic at the hospital referred him to the pulmonary medicine department to check the high health risks of a previous illness he suffered of.

But instead of the sleep study – also known as polysomnography – allowing doctors to evaluate his brain’s function at night, he died mid-test.

Following the incident the public prosecutor’s office ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

However, after the initial autopsy failed to provide enough information, authorities have now requested a second one at the forensic medicine department.

Managing director of Salzburg State Clinics Paul Sungler expressed condolences to the man’s family and said: “We will also internally collect all the circumstances that led to this death and fully support the authorities in the investigation.”

However, police emphasised that the second autopsy could prove problematic and also take up to three weeks to obtain.

The investigation continues.