Black start for Batjesweekend: cyclist (23) dies in accident in Roeselare

The Batjesweekend in Roeselare traditionally starts with the barrel of Rodenbach, and immediately attracts a lot of people to the city center. But the accident casts a black shadow over a festive weekend.

Under the influence

Just after midnight, a young woman rode her bicycle towards the roundabout at the former swimming pool. According to eyewitnesses, a car drove towards the roundabout at high speed. The driver lost control of the steering wheel, collided with two center conductors and hit an electrical box. Just before he came to a stop, he hit the young woman on the bicycle. She didn’t stand a chance and died on the spot.

The driver tested positive for alcohol. The Meensesteenweg remained closed to all traffic for several hours.