Driver Kills Five at Dutch Queen’s Day Parade

A car crashes into the crowd waiting for the visit of the royal family in Apeldoorn on April 30, 2009. (Robin Utrecht/AFP/Getty Images)

A speeding car plowed through spectators and into the Royal parade route in Apeldoorn, Netherlands on Thursday killing five and injuring 12 others. The driver, a 38-year-old Dutchman, was attempting to hit, but narrowly missed, the open-top bus carrying the royal family.

At approximately 12 p.m. at the annual Queen’s Day parade, the driver suddenly broke through the barricade and sped into the crowd, sending people flying through the air. The ride ended when the car slammed into a monument. The badly injured driver was arrested and taken to hospital for treatment.

Based on a statement given by the driver as he was taken to hospital, the incident was not an accident but was intentional, said Chief Public Prosecutor Ludo Goossens at a press conference. No motive was given but according to Goossens, there are no indications that the act can be linked to terrorism.

Among the injured, one died later in the afternoon and four are still in critical condition, including a member of the military police. Another police officer sustained minor injuries.

After the incident the royal bus drove directly to the palace. The rest of the Queen’s Day celebrations in Apeldoorn, and in other parts of the country, were cancelled. Dutch flags raised for the festivities throughout the land have been lowered to half mast.

In a reaction broadcasted on national television, a visibly disconcerted Dutch Queen Beatrix said: “What started out as a wonderful day has ended in a terrible tragedy, which has shocked all of us very deeply … My family, but I think everyone throughout the whole country, empathizes with the victims, their family and friends. And with all those that have been deeply affected by this tragedy.”