Six people were killed in the accident of a truck that hit a group of people dining outside near Rotterdam on Saturday August 26, according to a report released by the Dutch police on Sunday.
Seven people were also injured, according to Mirjam Boers, a police spokeswoman. Three women aged 28, 32 and 75 and three men aged 41, 50 and 62, all from the region, died. One of the seven injured is in critical condition in hospital.
The accident happened early in the evening on Saturday when, for a still unknown reason, a truck left a narrow road in the village of Nieuw-Beijerland, about thirty kilometers south of Rotterdam, and plunged below on the group of people who “participated in a neighborhood barbecue”according to Rotterdam police.
“All scenarios are open”
“We are still investigating to find out what exactly happenedadded M.me Boers. For now, we are keeping all scenarios open”, she added. Photographs taken after the tragedy identified the truck as belonging to the company El Mosca, based in Spain.
The truck driver, also registered in Spain, was not injured. He was arrested and taken into custody “for causing a fatal accident and serious bodily injury”according to a police statement. “His role in the accident is under investigation”, is it specified in the press release. He wasn’t “not under the influence of alcohol”, specified Mme Boers. The police have appealed for witnesses, stressing that“due to the neighborhood barbecue many people were present” during the accident.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima said to each other “shocked and moved by the terrible accident”. “The families affected are in our thoughts and we wish the injured strength on their way to the best possible recovery”, they said in an official message. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte also sent his condolences.