Crash: 7 Victims & Perpetrator Dead, 10 Wounded at Queen's Day 2009

[BeatrixFan]

All my love goes out to the Dutch people today. What a horrible thing to happen on such a special day.

[Marengo]

Statement by the prime minister , Dr. J.P. Balkenende, from rotterdam airport:

expressing his deep shock, and talks about the deaths and says that worse news must be feared.

He also spoke to HM the queen, and he expresses his support to her and her family.

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It seems the driver followed the programme precisely. The programme was delayed 20 minutes, but the driver was able to hit the needle at exactly the time the royal bus was driving there.

[RoyalProtocol]

This is dreadful. It is awful that this day of celebration has been destroyed by this crazy and evil man. My thoughts go out to Her Majesty Queen Beatrix and all the Dutch People.

[Marengo]

It has been confirmed that the daughters of WA and Maxima were in palace het Loo, and would probably participate in the afternoon. Let's hope they won't understand what happened.

[Jacknch]

I have seen the Dutch TV footage on the BBC News Website and I am shocked at what has happened. Queen's Day is such a wonderful day for everyone to celebrate and enjoy the parade and party - especially for children - and for them to witness the carnage of this must be shocking and traumatic. I will be thinking about those poor people who have died and been injured so needlessly and will light candles this evening in the garden in honour of them.

This will have been a dreadful shock to Queen Beatrix and the Royal Family too who witnessed the event. Queen's Day is something Queen Beatrix obviously loves, to see all the crowds enjoying themselves, and espcially this year which is the 100th Anniversary of the birth of Juliana.

Finally, I have to say that we were all looking forward so much to seeing some wonderful pictures today and so in a small way for us on TRF it is a very sad day too.

[tdarlene]

I just saw this in the news, portuguese tv reports 4 people died and at least 14 injured people, the tv also show the royal family shocked faces while that happened. Such an horrible thing to happen in such a great day. I only hope everything is right and no more people have died or any more injured people.

[Empress Merel]

That info is not correct; 2 people are dead, 23 are injured where 6 are critical.

*sorry, missed a number

[Marengo]

The telephone network around Apeldoorn has trouble coping with all the extyra calls. Everybody is checking if their family members/friends that are in Apeldoorn are ok.

[Empress Merel]

The sites of RTL and NOS etc are not particulary fast too. A lot of internet-traffic now.

[Marengo]

Some witnesses claim to have heard gun shots, as was told on TV Gelderland. It is unclear if they were fired by the police or not.

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The mayor of Apeldoorn was overheard saying that it was NOT an accident but intentional by Omroep Fryslan.

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ANP News: the police is now at the house of the driver.

[Empress Merel]

It's all possible. We just have to wait for the police to make their statement.

How is Amsterdam?
In Eindhoven people are still celebrating but I think the most of them still don't know what happened.

[Marengo]

I am not in Amsterdam right now, but with my parents in Katwijk. But AT5 news seem to imply that the festivities will go on, though the official part will be cancelled. Festivities in Maastricht, Groningen, Eindhoven and Breda will also continue.

[lucien]

Originally Posted by Marengo

I am not in Amsterdam right now, but with my parents in Katwijk. But AT5 news seem to imply that the festivities will go on, though the official part will be cancelled. Festivities in Maastricht and Breda will also continue.

With the amount of people here in Amsterdam,close to 1 million celebrating,it is almost impossible to cancel all parties without severely disrupting public order I'm afraid.Most have still not heard of events apparently,but if one did,if I would in that case,I would go home myself.Isn´t that just the only proper thing to do?

[Marengo]

True, and most of them are drunk anyway. Still, it is possible to finish things slowly, one party after another and earlier than they wanted. Some artists ('de toppers') have cancelled their performance on Museum square today, good! Radio 538 will stop their concert earlier (probably due to the cancellation of the toppers).

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A safety expert is talking on the NOS, saying it is impossible to prevent madman attacks like these. You don't expect somebody to drive through two traffic blocks, over the audience and into the bus. 100% safety doesn't exist, the police seemed very well prepared when the incident happened.

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The NOS is already reporting from Hotel de Keizerskroon where the press conference will start in a few minutes, lots of press. They are waiting for mayor Fred de Graaf, the police chef and the public prosecutor, mr Goossens.

[stellam]

I just saw a news snippet on BBC News and the shock I saw on the faces of Pr W-A, Maxima and I think it was Pr Annette said it all.

[Skydragon]

A car has crashed into a crowd watching a parade involving Dutch Queen Beatrix and her family, reportedly killing at least two people.

{Link to graphic video removed by Moderator.}

How terrible for you all!

[Marengo]

Press conference started.

The mayor expresses his support, also on behalf of the queen and the RF

17 victims, 4 dead, 5 still heavily wounded.

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The flags need to be on half mast for the rest of the day, nationwide.

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Mrs. Roelofs, the police commisioner talks about the incident. The driver is arrested and taken to the hospital. 700 policemen were active today, after 4 months of preparations. One policeman is lightly wounded, 1 officer of the royal marrechaussee is seriously injured. She denies that shots were fired.

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Mr Goossens says it was a consious action, 1 suspect has been arrested, a Dutch man of 38 without a criminal record or a psychological record. He tried to get through another traffic block. No indications for a terrorist attack. The drivers house is being searched. No reason to think that explosives were used. It was tried to stop the car, after the driver drove through the traffic blocks. The driver is in the operation room right now, he is one of the 5 that is seriously wounded.

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the prime minister arrived in Apeldoorn.

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They are denying various rumours. All members of the RF were very shocked and flabbergasted. They obviously saw the crash and victims on the street.

[Empress Merel]

17 injured, 4 dead, few critical.
Out of the pressconference.

[Skydragon]

<Link to Graphic Imagery removed by Moderator>

A speeding car careered into spectators moments after the Dutch Queen Beatrix had passed in an open-topped bus, leaving up to four people dead and 14 others injured.
The small black car appeared to be heading at high speed toward the royal bus and passed within a few yards of it before plowing into a stone monument in the town of Apeldoorn.

[jcbcode99]

This is truly terrible; my prayers are with all.