UPDATE
In a serious accident in the Dutch village of Vogelwaarde (near the Belgian border) three children and an adult died. A car crashed into a group of Dutch schoolchildren on their way to a camp. Three other children were seriously injured. A 19-year-old man from Hulst has been arrested. However, it cannot be confirmed for the time being whether he was also the driver.
Puck Stobbelaar, Raymond de Frel, Jorien de Wit, Karen Gijsbrechts
Source: AD.nl
LOOK. Several ambulances and trauma helicopters were immediately called
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Mayor: “The whole of Terneuzen is crying”
De Warande primary school, where the students attended classes, is located in the municipality of Terneuzen. There it becomes defeated responded. “The whole of Terneuzen is crying about this terrible accident,” said Wincoming mayor Franc Weerwind.
He himself is “deeply touched by the heartbreaking drama”. “This is a tight-knit community, it loss feels intense.”
Weerwind sees a lot of compassion and support for the affected families. “As a community we stand shoulder to shoulder.”
After the accident there was a meeting with parents, brothers and sisters of victimssaid Weerwind. He also spoke to young people who were part of the cycling group and were not injured.
Tomorrow morning Weerwind will visit the affected primary school. He will then in conversation with teachers and students.
“BMW driver veered off course”
According to Dutch media, the driver of the gray BMW veered off the bend. It is not yet clear whether he was driving too fast, became unwell or had been drinking. Four accidents have occurred in the bend in question in recent years. No cyclists or pedestrians were involved.
With trauma helicopter to Rotterdam
The third child who died was taken to Erasmus MC hospital in Rotterdam by air ambulance after the accident. However, the injuries turned out to be too serious.
“Everyone is completely upset”
The students attended classes at De Warande primary school, a Protestant Christian school on the outskirts of Axel. “This is really a school where parents have their say bring children there with confidence“, stilt Sjoerd Sanderse. He is chairman of the Elevantio school umbrella organization, which includes De Warande.
“It is a school that has been around for a long time, with a very close-knit team and very involved parents. We notice that immediately. From the lowest classes to the highest: everyone is completely upset.”
The deceased adult had worked at De Warande for a long time. “The employee was very loved and extremely appreciated. I can say all the clichés. Just someone we don’t want to miss. The mood here is deeply sad.”
19-year-old from Hulst arrested
A 19-year-old man from the Dutch municipality of Hulst has been arrested, VTM NEWS reports. However, the police cannot confirm for the time being whether it is the driver. His involvement is under further investigation.
Third child has died, VTM NIEUWS has learned
There is one third child died after the collision in Vogelwaarde. The Dutch police confirmed this to VTM NIEUWS.
It was initially reported that two children and one adult were killed. Three more children are seriously injured.
This is where the accident happened
The accident happened around 12.30 pm in the Dutch municipality of Vogelwaarde, in Zeeland, about ten kilometers from the Belgian border.
The car was driving on a provincial road, with a separate cycle path next to it. Just around the bend came the gray BMW collides with a group of cyclistsconsisting of fourteen children and two supervisors from a primary school in Axel, a sub-municipality of Terneuzen. They were at school camp.
“What should have been a great school camp ends in drama”
Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten also reacted negatively to the accident. On X, Jetten says that “the horrible news from Zeeland today overshadows everything”.
“What should have been a great school camp ends in drama”State Secretary for Education Judith Tielen said in a response to X. “My thoughts are with the relatives, family, friends and classmates of the victims and employees of the school.”
Education Minister Rianne Letschert speaks of “a terrible tragedy” and wishes “a lot of strength to all relatives and to everyone who experiences this loss up close.”
Chairman of the school umbrella organization responds to reports: “There are no words for this. This is one big drama.”
The children attended De Warande, a primary school in Axel, a sub-municipality of Terneuzen. They were on their way to De Vogel recreation center, a place where canoeing is possible.
The chairman of the school umbrella organization involved responded with shock to the Dutch news website AD. “There are no words for this. Children dying is always dramatic. But then also on the way to school camp, which should be one big party. This is one big drama.”
Drama at camp: car crashes into group of cycling schoolchildren
In the event of a serious accident Bird value (Zeeland) are three children and an adult died. The car drove onto the N290with a separate cycle path next to it. The gray BWM left the road in a bend. The group of cyclists didn’t stand a chance.
The company consisted of vthirteen children and two supervisors from a primary school in Axel, a sub-municipality of Terneuzen. They were at school camp.
Three children were seriously injured. The injured were transferred to It University Hospital in Ghent, the University Hospital in Antwerp and the Erasmus MC in Rotterdam.
The emergency services arrived en masse. In addition to seven ambulances, three trauma helicopters and a police helicopter were also called in. The road remained closed for a long time.