Video: 9 hurt as car slams into group gathered in Nunspeet for annual parade
At least nine injuries were reported Monday night after a car slammed into a group of people gathered for an annual parade in Nunspeet. Three of the wounded are seriously injured, Gelderland district police confirmed. The initial investigation suggested the crash was accidental, and the 56-year-old woman driving the vehicle was detained for questioning.
The incident took place just after 6:30 p.m. when a car struck the group near the roundabout connecting Steenzolder and Elburgseweg, according to the Noord- en Oost-Gelderland emergency services office. Video captured by an area resident showed a car careening towards the roundabout.
Sounds of the crash can then be heard in the video, followed by faint screams. The car, which appeared to be a five-door Toyota Yaris, came to a halt in a nearby field.
One resident emerged from his home at the crash site to help provide assistance, the woman's husband told RTV Nunspeet. He believes a child was among those hurt.
At least a half-dozen ambulances were sent to the scene along with three trauma teams traveling in separate helicopters. Many firefighters and police officers were also dispatched to the crash response, which was scaled up to a Grip 1 regional emergency. As police cordoned off the area, the injured were treated behind screens to give paramedics and patients more privacy.
“The driver of the car in Nunspeet was a 56-year-old woman from the village,” police wrote in an update. “She is in custody as a suspect, as is customary in the case of a serious traffic accident,” the statement continued.
An unconfirmed report from De Gelderlander suggested the woman became unwell while behind the wheel. Police only stated on the record, “The woman sustained minor injuries.”
Police confirmed earlier reporting by several media outlets, indicating the group of people were gathered for the Elburg Lichtjestour, an annual parade scheduled for Monday evening. Vehicles involved in the event are decorated with lighting drive through the region.
“A motorcade was taking place in Nunspeet, and people were watching from the roadside verges,” police said. Event organizers ended up changing their plans considering the tragic situation.
"Nunspeet, We are not going to come due to a serious accident there," organizers wrote on Facebook. The remainder of the event was ultimately canceled.
"For now, there does not appear to be any intent involved, but we are still investigating," police wrote in an earlier statement on social media.
