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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8026807.stm

Page last updated at 20:10 GMT, Thursday, 30 April 2009 21:10 UK

“Car attack on Dutch royal parade”

SNIPPET: “Prosecutor Ludo Goossens said the man, who is a Dutch national, would be charged with attempting an attack on the royal family and murder - if he survives.

“The man indicated that his action was aimed against the royal family,” Mr Goossens told journalists in Apeldoorn.

After searching the car and his home, investigators ruled out terrorism as a motive and said it appeared he had acted alone.”
SNIPPET: “”We’re speechless that something so terrible could have happened.”

Cynthia Boll, a photographer at the scene, told the BBC the car was already badly damaged before it slammed into the crowds at high speed.
“There were people everywhere, you could definitely see that it was serious because everywhere was blood and shoes ripped off and all the people giving CPR,” she said.

Other witnesses described people being flung into the air as the car crashed through the throngs who had turned out to see the queen.
Officials said two men and two women died at the scene of the incident, while another person died later in hospital.

Taken by surprise


15 posted on 04/30/2009 7:21:37 PM PDT by Cindy
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UPDATE:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2241836/posts

“Driver in Queen’s Day attack dies”
Expatica ^ | April 30 2009 | Radio Netherlands / AFP / Expatica
Posted on May 1, 2009 12:43:20 AM PDT by knighthawk

SNIPPET: “The 38-year-old unemployed security guard who drove his car at high speed into a crowd watching the Queen’s Day royal procession has died.

THE QUEEN – The 38-year-old Dutchman who killed five people and injured 12 during Queen’s Day celebrations in Apeldoorn has died.

The unemployed security guard drove his car at high speed into a crowd who had gathered for the annual Queen’s Day royal procession in the central city of Apeldoorn around noon (1000 GMT).

The car missed the royal coach by 15 metres and came to a standstill when it crashed into a well-known monument.

Two men and two women died shortly after impact, while one of the 13 injured died later in hospital.

“At the moment of first contact with police on the ground, the man indicated that his action was aimed against the royal family,” justice official Ludo Goossens told journalists in Apeldoorn.

“There are no indications of terrorist links,” Goossens said, nor are there signs of explosives or of a broader conspiracy.

Investigators searched the man’s house to try and establish a motive. He had no record of mental illness or previous crimes.

Apeldoorn mayor Fred de Graaf said 13 people were injured – five of them seriously, and one of whom has since died. Three among the injured were children aged nine, 15 and 16.

“The injured were taken to six hospitals in the region, where they are being treated,” the mayor said.

They include two members of the police.

Some suffered head trauma, but most had bruises and broken bones.

Television footage showed members of the royal family, in an open top bus, clutch their hands to their mouths in shock as the car sped through barricades right before their eyes and rammed into the monument, leaving injured people and battered bicycles in its wake.

Beatrix, Crown Prince Willem Alexander and his wife Maxima were among the royals taking part in the procession.

The car appeared on television footage to have already been heavily damaged before slamming into the monument.”


16 posted on 05/01/2009 12:49:14 AM PDT by Cindy
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