The man who threw a metal ball during the Highland Games in August 2022, causing the death of 65-year-old Jan from Geldrop, will not be prosecuted. According to the Public Prosecution Service (OM), the thrower of the ball cannot be blamed. It is still being investigated whether the organization of the event will be continued. The organization did not apply for a permit.
On August 7, 2022, Jan died when he was hit by a metal ball while walking behind a high hedge. That happened on a path of the Landgoed Kasteel Geldrop. The Highland Games were held there at the time. That is a traditional Scottish folk game.
The police launched an extensive investigation for which bystanders and an expert from Scotland were questioned. The man who threw the ball away was considered a suspect for a long time. The Public Prosecution Service now concludes that he cannot be blamed. Therefore, the case is dropped.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office is still investigating whether the organization of the Highland Games can be blamed. The municipality of Geldrop had not received a permit application for the event.
Big shock
Bystanders previously told Omroep Brabant that they were in shock after the fateful accident. “When the ball flew over the hedge and then screaming sounded, it quickly became dead quiet. People were shocked,” said bystander Jos.
After the fatal accident, a memorial was made in a garden on the site where people laid flowers. “It touches people deeply, especially because it was well known in Geldrop.”
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