One killed, three hurt in Scheveningen boating accident

By Janene Pieters on June 29, 2018 - 07:49
Water police
Water police. Photo: Politie

Two boats crashed in the port of Scheveningen on Thursday evening. One person was killed and three were injured, one of whom is in critical condition, according to the police.

Emergency services responded to the scene around 6:30 p.m. A steel motorboat with three people on board and a fast dingy with eight people on board collided with each other, NU.nl reports. A trauma helicopter brought a mobile medical team to the scene, which provided first assistance to the victims. One man died of his injuries. The police know his identity and informed his family. Three others were taken to hospital. One of them is in critical condition.

For a time the authorities weren't certain that all victims had been taken out of the water. A large search was initiated, which ended shortly after 8:30 p.m. with a report that all victims had been found and no one was beng missed. 

Mayor Pauline Krikke of The Hague expressed her sympathies to the family of the man who died. "My thoughts are firstly with the victim and the family", she said, according to NU.nl. "For them today is terrible. A terrible accident happened." According to Krikke, the police and Public Prosecutor are investigating the accident.

Festivities were in progress in the port of Scheveningen in the aftermath of the. "The incident casts a dark shadow over the Volvo Ocean Race", Krikke said.

The organization of the Race, in close consultation with the municipality of The Hague, decided to let the activities planned for Friday continue, but in an adapted form. No fast dinghy experiences will be offered on Friday, out of respect for the victims of Thursday's accident. The dinghies will only be used to transport guests. The music during the day will be toned down, and a concert on Friday evening will start with one minute of silence. 

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