“No day will be the same again. Never again a family outing with Wieteke,” read a spokesperson for the relatives. In a crowded auditorium of the crematorium in Roosendaal, the fourth fatal victim of the traffic drama in Oud Gastel was said goodbye on Monday. Two mothers and two children were killed.
Wieteke turned 42 and was sitting in a car with her friend and three children after a fun day of swimming. On their way to a last snack to end the holiday, their car was hit by a car driven by a 27-year-old Roosendaler. He is still in prison on suspicion of reckless driving. He and his two occupants were not injured. Wieteke’s daughter (9) who was also in the car survived the accident, but had to be treated in hospital.
“I didn’t know her but I’m sorry we never met.”
Just like last Friday when the other mother (39) and her two children (8 and 10) were said goodbye in Bosschenhoofd, there was also a large turnout on Monday. The auditorium of the crematorium was full and outside dozens of interested people followed the last tribute via a large screen.
The mayor also spoke at the funeral. “Everyone is very sympathetic. I hope we continue to hold each other and stay for each other to process this loss.” Not all of those present knew the young mother personally. So is Tineke Pertijs. “Accident grips you. You want to do something. I don’t know her, but after all I’ve just heard, I’m sorry I never knew her.”
“Nice to be there, it’s the last thing I can do.”
Cees van Gils also did not know Wieteke, but his legs are shaking afterwards. “Such a young and nice family and then she just gets ripped out of her life in an accident. It’s so pointless. I love that I can be there and that so many people have come. This is the last thing I can do to do.”
A colleague of Wieteke thinks it’s all unreal. “Such a young vibrant woman, in the middle of life, is no more. She was always the organizer, clear and clear. It is incomprehensible.”
“I get goosebumps when I imagine how the amputee families feel now.”
Conny mainly knows the relatives and sympathizes with them. “The whole village of Bosschenhoofd, where all the victims come from, is upset. I get goosebumps when I empathize with the families who now have to go on with life heavily amputated. It is unimaginable. I hope something like this, even if it is from a distance , never to experience again.”
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