Families ‘intensely saddened’ after fiery The Hague crash that killed three

Friends and relatives of three people killed in a police chase crash in The Hague described the deaths as “unimaginably unfair” and said they are “intensely sad and shocked," NOS reported. People gathered at the crash site on Sunday to pay respects.

Mara, 21, and Doris, 20, died early Thursday on Bezuidenhoutseweg after the car they were in lost control and struck a tree, igniting a fire. The 24-year-old driver also died. A fourth passenger, a friend of the women, survived and is recovering at home.

The surviving passenger “is physically okay under the circumstances,” the families said through Namens de Familie, an organization operating under Slachtofferhulp Nederland, which provides support to victims and relatives. “She is very shaken and deeply saddened by the loss of her friends,” the statement added.

The crash followed a brief police pursuit. Around 4:40 a.m., officers gave the car a stop signal due to “unusual driving behavior.” The driver did not stop, lost control, and crashed.

All four passengers were from The Hague and had been out with friends earlier that night, celebrating Mara’s 21st birthday. “The women died in a tragic way on a day that should have been festive. That is a heavy and unbearable reality for the survivors,” the families said.