Sad balance: six dead and seven injured.
Saturday evening around 18.00 p.m. a truck drove from the Zuidzijdsedijk Nieuw-Beijerland and hit people who were together for a neighborhood barbecue. A truck, which hit the dike for unknown reasons, ended up in the middle of it. Several people have been killed and injured. The emergency services were quickly on the scene.
It soon became known that at least two people were killed and several victims were taken to hospital. Around 23.00 p.m. while the truck was being recovered, there were still deceased victims under the truck. The investigation is still ongoing for the time being. The forensic investigation supports this. The truck will later be impounded for investigation.
chauffeur
The truck with a Spanish license plate hit a group of people during a meeting of the chairman of the ice cream club, who said goodbye. The driver, who escaped unharmed, was arrested and immediately transferred to a police station. It concerns a 46-year-old man from Spain. Police said he had not been drinking.
He was arrested for involvement in the incident. His role is being investigated. For the time being, the police are keeping all scenarios about the facts open. The driver allegedly stated that he had to swerve for another vehicle. Police are now looking for the driver of a white van.
The employer of the transport company says in the Spanish newspaper The Truth that he has already spoken to his driver. He said he had to swerve for a van and that he lost control of the wheel and went off the road as a result. The police confirm that they are looking for the driver of a white van with an open bed.
assylum
Shelter has been arranged for the people who were there. Victim support is also involved. They will also be ready for those involved in the coming days. Acting mayor Charlie Aptroot of the municipality of Hoeksche Waard has spoken with those involved in the accident in Nieuw-Beijerland. He lets it be known that there are great worries and great sadness. “They are open to me about their grief and their concerns. We have agreed to keep in close contact.”
"This is the type of village like many villages in Hoeksche Waard: where people really know each other, where taking care of each other comes first."
update sunday 11am
Disbelief and sadness in Nieuw-Beijerland remain behind. The truck of the Spanish transport company El Mosca drove off the Zuidzijdsedijk just after 18.00 p.m. on Saturday and hit guests at the barbecue, where dozens of people were present. Ten ambulances and a trauma helicopter were called in to provide assistance. A police spokesman said there were many eyewitnesses to the accident. Sad balance: six dead and seven injured, the police reported on Sunday. The truck has since been towed and seized for technical examination.
