Mano Machinek dies in fatal car‑commercial crash in northern Italy

Manoel “Mano” Machinek, a 37‑year‑old model, photographer and influencer, was killed on 30 July while filming a car commercial in northern Italy. The shoot took place on a scenic mountain road near Monte Mottarone, close to Gignese and Lake Maggiore. Machinek was driving a rented blue Porsche 993 RS when he lost control on a curve, left the roadway, and collided with a large tree. Rescue crews, including a helicopter, attempted resuscitation, but the injuries were fatal.

Italian Carabinieri opened an investigation, noting that the production cameras were not recording at the moment of the crash, and the exact cause—whether mechanical failure, driver error or other factors—remains unclear. The tragedy prompted an outpouring of grief in Austria, where Machinek was known from the reality series “Forsthaus Rampensau”.