Six dead after truck ploughs into community barbecue in Netherlands
Accident has deeply affected tight-knit community, where ‘many attendees know each other’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.At least six people have died and another seven are in hospital after a truck came off the road and crashed into a community barbecue event near Rotterdam, Dutch police said on Sunday.
Police said that the accident occurred on Saturday evening in the village of Nieuw-Beijerland, Zuid-Holland.
Local reports added that authorities had brought in the driver of the vehicle, who was unharmed during the accident, for further questioning.
Police spokeswoman Mirjam Boers said the 46-year-old truck driver, a Spanish man, was not inebriated at the time of the accident.
The truck was being driven down a small rural road when the vehicle suddenly careened down a dike and crashed into a village gathering, trapping several people underneath.
The English-language NL Times reported that the accident had deeply affected the community, where “many attendees know each other”.
It was reported that local authorities deployed several ambulances and helicopters at the site of the tragedy.
The mayor of the Hoeksche Waard in the western Netherlands, Charlie Aptroot, spoke with the family of the victims. He told the media that the family members and neighbours in the “tight-knit community” were crushed. “Our greatest concern is with the people involved,” he said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments