Man dies in construction of Efteling winter attraction

A 37-year-old man from Kessel was killed in an accident during the construction of a winter attraction at theme park Efteling in Kaatsheuvel, the Tilburg police said on Twitter. Another man was slightly injured in his leg.

According to Omroep Brabant, the man ended up under the forks of a forklift during the construction of the IJspaleis, or Ice Palace in English - a tent attraction annually built for Winter Efteling. He was externally hired for the construction. Emergency services tried to resuscitate him, but to no avail.

The accident happened on a closed site. According to the police, park visitors did not see what happened. They did however see the emergency services that responded to the accident. An air ambulance landed in the parking lot and several ambulances responded, according to the broadcaster.

The Inspectorate of Social Affairs and Employment is investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident. His next of kin was informed and counselors were called in to support his colleagues.

Efteling called it a terrible accident in a response on Facebook. "Efteling finds it terrible that this accident occurred. Our thoughts go out to the family and the colleagues of the company where this person was employed. At present we are focusing all our attention to the aftercare of people at the scene."