Three killed in monster truck rampage

By Maxime Zech on September 29, 2014 - 08:06
Monstertruck
. (Source: Twitter/PJ de Jong)

During the AutoMotorSportief event in Haaksbergen in Overijssel, a monster truck drove into the public during a demonstration, which has resulted in three deaths, the municipality of Haaksbergen announces. 

Earlier reports stated the death toll was two, now Mayor Hans Gerritsen announces in a clarification that the victims are a young boy, and an adult man and woman. Another five people are still in critical condition in the hospital, and a further 18 have reported diverse injuries, the Algemen Dagblad writes.

The incident involved a monstertruck pick-up of 1500 horsepower. During a stunt, the vehicle veered out of control and ended up crashing into the public.

According to the AD, several witnesses have concerns about whether the size of the parking lot were the event was held may have simply been to small to accommodate the massive tires and sheer size of the trucks and the stunts. Mayor Gerritsen, the Ministry of Justice and the police would not comment about the level of safety at the event, which will be established at the conclusion of the ongoing forensic investigation. The municipality did give the event a permit to do the show at the parking station on the Stationsstraat.

The driver of the monster truck in question has been brought to the police department for questioning, as police are trying to establish a possible motive. The president of the monster truck organization tells RTV Oost that there was a problem with either the brake or gas pedal of the vehicle.

The Medical Spectrum Twente (MST) in Enschede has asked that personnel go to the four hospitals near the site of the tragedy to help alleviate hospital staff of the pressure of administering care to the victims of the incident.

For the Mayor of Haaksbergen, this is "an ink black day". No tragedy of this size has ever played out in this municipality before. He has visited victims at a makeshift aid center in the Buurtspoorweg Museum.

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