Three men and three women, aged between 28 and 75, were killed, police said. Police spokeswoman Mirjam Boers said the truck driver, a 46-year-old Spaniard, is a suspect in the accident that happened early Saturday night in the village of Nieuw-Beijerland. His identity has not been disclosed, in accordance with Dutch privacy laws. The big truck the man was driving left a small rural road and went down the bank of the embankment and plowed into the village gathering. Boers said the driver was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. “We’re investigating what could 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 the injured strength on their road to the best possible recovery.” Forensic investigators worked Saturday night around the truck where it came to rest at the bottom of the embankment. Later, a crane and a tow truck moved it back onto the road. Photos of the scene showed hoods hanging between trees and chairs scattered around small tables with plates still on them. Prime Minister Mark Rutte also expressed his sorrow in a tweet, saying: “My thoughts go out to the victims and their families of this terrible drama. I wish them a lot of strength.” Local mayor Charlie Aptroot visited the scene on Saturday night. “My condolences 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 on stage and expressed “appreciation for the way people are there for each other”.
