The death toll from an accident when a truck overturned a dam and crashed into a community barbecue in a village south of Rotterdam rose to six on Sunday, and Dutch police said seven more people are in hospital, including one in critical condition.
Three men and three women were killed, ranging in age from 28 to 75, police said.
Police spokeswoman Mirjam Boers said the truck driver, a 46-year-old Spaniard, is suspected of causing the accident that happened early Saturday evening in the village of Nieuw-Beijerland. His identity was not released, in accordance with Dutch privacy laws.
The big truck that the man was driving left a small rural road and went up the bank of the dam and entered the village gathering. Boers said the driver was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.
“We are investigating what may have happened,” Boers said.
Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima said in a tweet that they were shocked by the accident which they said had caused “unimaginable sadness in this close-knit community. The affected families are in our thoughts and we wish those injured strength on their way to a speedy recovery.”
Forensic investigators worked Saturday night around the truck that came to rest at the bottom of the dam. Later, a crane and a tow truck pulled it back onto the road.
Photos of the scene showed piles hanging between trees and chairs scattered around tables with coasters still on them.
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Prime Minister Mark Rutte also expressed his grief in a tweet, saying: “My thoughts go out to the victims and relatives of this terrible drama. I wish him strength.”
Local mayor Charlie Aptroot visited the scene on Saturday night.
“My condolences go out to the victims, their families, eyewitnesses and first responders,” he said in a statement.
He added that he had spoken to many of the people at the scene and expressed “appreciation for the way people are there for each other”.
