One killed, others still critically hurt after car rammed Nunspeet parade watchers
One of the nine injured when a car collided into a group of people waiting to watch a parade has died from their injuries, police confirmed on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, Nunspeet Mayor Céline Blom indicated there were two people in critical condition from the incident in her town on Monday evening, and three others were being treated in good condition.
Authorities refused to identify the age, gender, and hometown of the person who was killed, citing privacy concerns. Blom did indicate that only adults remained hospitalized, though "a few" children were among the nine hurt in the traffic crash. It was not immediately clear if the person who died was one of the critically-injured patients.
The 56-year-old woman who was behind the wheel of the car was among the five in hospital care on Wednesday afternoon. Local media outlets reported earlier that the woman had fallen ill before the accident, but police have yet to confirm that detail.
The woman was considered in police custody due to the seriousness of the incident, but it was not yet known if she has been questioned. Police already indicated the crash was not intentional, and said the woman was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol, even though the case remained under investigation.
There were persistent, unconfirmed rumors soon after the crash happened at 6:35 p.m. indicating the accident was fatal. It happened at a roundabout on the Elburgseweg, where a group had gathered on the verge to watch the Elburg Lichtjestour, a motorcade of vehicles decorated with lights. Neighbors and witnesses immediately jumped in to provide first aid.
The scope of the crash prompted authorities to declare a Grip 1 regional emergency, with dispatchers sending a throng of ambulances, police officers, and firefighters to the scene. Three separate medical trauma teams were sent by helicopter.
The mayor said during a community gathering Wednesday afternoon that between 60 and 70 people witnessed the tragedy. "After a productive meeting this afternoon - sharing concerns and grief with many involved in the accident - we just received news that one of the victims in the hospital died from their injuries," Blom wrote a short time later. "We are deeply saddened, and our thoughts are with the family and everyone else involved in the accident on Monday evening."
About 50 people attended the meeting, including area residents, affected family members, and children, according tho ANP. Flowers have since been placed at the crash site, and support services were arranged for those affected by the tragedy.
