The ‘vibrant’ 12-year-old Tara, 2 vwo student from Dalton The Hague, died in the fatal sailing accident on Wednesday in the Wadden Sea.
Rector Katrien van de Gevel announced this on Thursday during a press conference. “This is the worst thing that can happen to a parent. Our thoughts go out in the first place to the family,” she says emotionally.
Research in full swing
The school has been going on a sailing camp for thirty years. Never before has anything gone wrong. How it could have happened that a boom from the mast ended up on Tara, who turned 13, is still unclear. The investigation is still in progress. Twelve students were on board the ship, who were immediately escorted below decks after the accident. First aid was given immediately, but to no avail.
“It is horrible what happened,” says Van de Gevel. “A total of seven ships were sailing with students. This ship was en route to Vlieland. We have been doing the sailing weeks for years and we work with permanent skippers.”
The twelve classmates who were on board were immediately offered victim assistance in Harlingen. They were then taken to school by bus, where they also had a meeting with victim counseling. A school social worker is available for the students. “But they mainly want to do something for Tara,” says Van de Gevel, who describes her as a lively girl. The victim’s brother attends the same school.
Possible memorial corner
A memorial corner is currently being considered together with the students. “But first we want to discuss this with the parents,” says the rector. The entire substructure was on working week, but that was interrupted by the fatal incident. In the hall of the school are the bags and backpacks of the students, who hug each other in the hallway. Tara’s class follows a modified schedule this week. Classes will resume on Monday.
‘You’ll never forget this’
The Hague mayor Jan van Zanen was also taken aback during the meeting in the empty school class. “The phone call yesterday afternoon with this terrible news has cut it. A conversation with the mentor broke my heart. This is horrible and you will never forget.” The mayor can easily empathize with the feeling that prevails among the family, students and teachers. “I experienced this myself twice when I was in high school. We are there for parents, friends, family and school if they still need anything,” says Van Zanen.