Falling tree kills driver, hail destroys campsite in Noord-Brabant; More storms today
A tree fell onto a car in Boxtel, Noord-Brabant, and killed the driver during thunderstorms that swept over the Netherlands on Tuesday. A brief but severe hail storm caused a lot of damage at a campsite in Raamdonks, also in Noord-Brabant. More thunderstorms are expected this afternoon. The KNMI issued a code yellow warning for the southeastern half of the country.
The accident in Boxtel happened on Keulsebaan. The falling tree landed on top of a car, trapping the motorist inside. Emergency services responded in large numbers, with police, ambulance, and fire brigade deployed to the scene. But help came too late. The victim died at the scene.
According to Omroep Brabant, it was a rotten tree that fell onto the vehicle due to the storm. The road was closed while the tree and the car were removed. The local security region announced that it would inspect all tall trees in the area for signs that they could fall over.
At the campsite De Bonte Kraai in Raamsdonk, a hailstorm caused devastation at around 5:15 p.m., RTL Nieuws reports. Hardly a tent remained standing, and hailstones smashed through caravan roofs. The hail started falling at around 5:15 p.m. Less than 15 minutes later, campers were assessing the damage in a landscape turned white with ice.
More thunderstorms are expected today. The KNMI issued a code yellow warning for Limburg, Noord-Brabant, Utrecht, Gelderland, Flevoland, Overijssel, Drenthe, and Groningen, starting at noon and lasting until 10:00 p.m. in some places.
“From early afternoon, there is a chance of some heavy thunderstorms with hail and wind gusts in the southeastern half of the country,” the KNMI said. “During the evening, the showers will gradually decrease and become less active, last in the southeast.” The meteorological institute warns of hail up to 2 centimeters and gusts up to 60 kilometers per hour.
The day will be cool and partly cloudy, with maximums climbing to around 17 degrees Celsius. Tomorrow will look much the same, with a mix of clouds and sun, and maximums around 17 degrees. The KNMI expects showers in the east during the afternoon, but the rest of the country should remain mostly dry.
