Video: Police chase ends when car slams into tree in The Hague; Three dead, one hurt
Update at 10:48 a.m. - Article updated with information from the OM about casualties of the crash
A car crashed into a tree and caught fire during a police chase in The Hague on Thursday morning. The car being pursued by the police is now upside down and burnt out. Three people died in the crash, and one was injured, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) reported later on Thursday.
A police spokesperson told Omroep West that officers signalled the driver to stop at around 4:40 a.m. due to suspicious circumstances. The driver sped off, and the police gave chase.
The accident happened at the intersection of Bezuidenhoutseweg and Reigersbergenweg, near Huis ten Bosch, one of the three official residences of King Willem-Alexander.
According to the OM, the driver lost control of the vehicle. The car crashed into a tree, flipped, and caught fire. "One of the occupants was removed from the vehicle and taken to the hospital with injuries. Three occupants died," the OM said.
Emergency services records show that at least three ambulances and firefighter crews were dispatched to the scene just after 4:40 a.m. A medical trauma team was also sent by helicopter.
It is unclear how many people were in the fleeing car. According to RTL Nieuws, footage from the scene shows that at least one person died. Police spokespersons declined to comment to Omroep West and ANP.
Cases where a police response leads to injuries or death are typically investigated by the Rijksrecherche. The independent agency is supervised by the Public Prosecution Service, and examines whether police officers followed proper procedures. Their reviews help prosecutors determine whether an officer will face criminal charges related to negligence or the improper use of force.
