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Queen's Day celebrations in Apeldoorn cancelled after accident
Two killed as car crashes across barriers
A car ploughed into the crowd watching the Queen's day parade in Apeldoorn. Two spectators were killed and 23 reported injured, some of them seriously.
Reporters on the spot say the car drove at high speed, hitting a number of people that were thrown into the air. The black Suzuki Swift crashed into a monument for Queen Wilhelmina. The driver was taken out of the car in a serious condition. Emergency services are rushing to the spot to provide aid to the victims.
Police are dispersing the crowd in the Loolaan area of Apeldoorn. The mayor of Apeldoorn announced shortly after the incident that the festivities in the city have been cancelled.
Eye witnesses speculated that the accident may have been an attempted attack on the Royal Family. Others say that the car went off course with a shattered windscreen and that the driver appeared to be slumped motionless over the wheel. The vehicle came to a halt after crashing into a monument (pictured right).
The incident occurred minutes after a luxury open-top coach carrying the Royal Family passed the spot (pictured below). The coach briefly stopped and was then accompanied to Het Loo palace by security forces.
Queen Beatrix has sent a message expressing her sympathy to the victims. The government information service says the queen and her family are deeply shocked by the incident.
Tags:
Dutch royals,
Queen's day
annamaria,
03-05-2009
- united states
i am from the netherlands and was horrified by this my prayers go out to the victims and treir famikies and ti henry in spain how dare you to say that it did not suprise you because we are mad you are the one that is mad and incensetive
Grant,
01-05-2009
-
Christian driver, actually.
Kitty,
01-05-2009
- canada
I grew up in Holland. Queen's day is usually a fantastic celebration.
This is a very tragic happening, which is sure to touch many people in many ways. My prayers are with all of those who where there, victims, their families, all who witnessed.
Henry,
01-05-2009
- Spain
It´s very striking but to me not very surprising. All over there are mad and very mad people.
DaanO,
01-05-2009
- The Netherlands
I'm from Holland, but i'm currently in Denmark for holiday, and I am deeply shocked. The driver wasn't a Muslim and his motive is unknown. This is horrible.
Philanthropist,
01-05-2009
- Canada
Muslim driver?
Mary,
30-04-2009
- usa
How horrible to have such a festive day ruined by such a awful event.
jasmin,
30-04-2009
- India
That's very shocking and tragic!
