Wervershoof and Hoogkarspel mourn the death of Jesper: “He was such a bloody boy”

Jesper’s tragic death not only leaves deep marks in his hometown of Wervershoof, there is also great sadness and dejection in Hoogkarspel. Customers of the fish shop of Philip Brand (60) support him with warm words and cards. Philip is presented with a large bouquet of flowers on behalf of fellow shopkeepers from the shopping center. “Good luck, from all of us,” it sounds.

A corner has been set up on the counter in memory of Jesper. In the condolence register, customers entrust their final greetings to the paper. “I’ll give that to his parents later. There are customers here crying at the counter. Everyone is devastated,” says Philip. It makes it clear that Jesper was highly appreciated in the fish shop. Or as one woman puts it: “He was such a bloody boy. He was always present, but in a very nice and friendly way. What a drama this is.”

Philip cannot help but agree with this. The son of a friend of his, Jesper came to work for him six years ago as a young teenager, for example on Saturdays and other days off. Or if he actually had to go to school. “Then he said he was free, but that wasn’t the case at all.”

Always laughing, always cheerful. That’s what Jesper was like. “I’ve never seen him grumpy,” says Philip. “And you soon saw that he had mastered it. He was super fast, a hard worker and could deal well with customers. He would take over the store in five years. Two weeks ago I sat with the accountant to discuss this. to take effect.” It remains silent for a moment. “So that won’t happen.”

Colleagues and former colleagues of Jesper are coming together tonight to commemorate him. “It’s mainly young people who work here. They should be able to talk about it,” says Philip. Balloons are released, among other things.

A fatal accident – in which a 27-year-old man from Hoorn also died – puts an end to all future plans in one fell swoop. “He lived on the edge,” Philip says. “No sea was too high, he never missed an outing. But he was always there. He was also working here on Saturday. He was going to the carnival in Zwaag in the evening and apparently afterwards he and two others went to Amsterdam. Two weeks ago he said: ‘If I die now, I will have lived’. And that for a 19-year-old boy… isn’t that bizarre?”