Four killed including three kids after car hits school camp cyclists in Zeeland; 3 hurt
Two children and an adult who were biking with a school group near Vogelwaarde were left dead after a car crashed into the cyclists on Thursday afternoon. Rescue workers said at least four more children were critically injured, one of whom died several hours later at a hospital, RTL Nieuws confirmed. A 19-year-old man from Hulst was in custody, but it was too early to say whether he was the driver involved, police confirmed to NL Times.
The incident happened on the N290 between Vogelwaarde and Terhole, two villages that are part of the municipality of Hulst. Just before 12:30 p.m., a car collided with the group of 14 children and two adult supervisors who were taking part in a school camping trip. It was not yet clear whether the three people died at the hospital or at the scene.
Those injured in the crash were transported to the Erasmus MC in Rotterdam, and two Belgian hospitals, including the Ghent University Hospital and Antwerp University Hospital. “The other supervisor and the children have been provided with support, and assistance is being organized for them and their loved ones,” said Zeeland Veilig, the regional emergency services office.
One person was taken into custody by police, though investigators were not ready to identify the individual as the driver. Their exact role in the incident was still being determined, a spokesperson for the police told NL Times. Later in the evening, he was identified as a 19-year-old from Hulst.
Photos from the scene show a silver-colored BMW sedan with severe front-end damage in the embankment. The vehicle’s driver-side airbag deployed, its front and rear windshields were smashed, and the roof of the vehicle showed signs of impact.
“The circumstances of the accident are being investigated by the police,” Zeeland Veilig said. Anyone with information about the crash, or those who something relevant to the investigation should contact police, investigators said. Due to the accident, the provincial road was closed in both directions.
"The horrific and shocking news from Zeeland overshadowed everything today," said Prime Minister Rob Jetten in a statement on social media. "What should be a highlight for every child and every primary school, the school camp, ends in a nightmare." He said his thoughts were with the victims, the wounded, their families, and friends, and wished them strength to move forward.
"The Netherlands grieves with them," he wrote.
The crash itself triggered a massive response in emergency services personnel, with medical trauma teams sent by helicopter, paramedics sent in seven ambulances, and a fire department crew with expertise in complicated rescues and extractions. Many of those who responded have been allowed to leave the scene.
Support services were also organized for the emergency responders who were involved in the “violent incident,” Zeeland Veilig stated.
