One dead, one critically injured in RIB collision by VOR Village
by Volvo Ocean Race/Sail-World.com/nz 29 Jun 2018 08:23 AEST
29 June 2018
The Hague stopover. Optimist racing with the rest of the VOR program took place offshore. June 28, 2018 © Pedro Martinez / Volvo Ocean Race
A 56yr old man was killed and another is critically injured after a collision between a RIB and another vessel in the early evening in front of the Volvo Ocean Village at Scheveningen the seaport of The Hague which is hosting the Volvo Ocean Race.
One of the skippers has been arrested and is being held in custody.
Writing in the nltimes.nl website, Janene Pieters reported on Thursday morning:
Two boats crashed in the port of Scheveningen on Thursday evening. One person was killed and three were injured, one of whom is in critical condition, according to the police.
Emergency services responded to the scene around 6:30 p.m. A steel motorboat with three people on board and a fast dinghy [RIB] with eight people on board collided with each other, NU.nl reports. A trauma helicopter brought a mobile medical team to the scene, which provided first assistance to the victims. One man died of his injuries. The police know his identity and informed his family. Three others were taken to hospital. One of them is in critical condition.
For a time the authorities weren't certain that all victims had been taken out of the water. A large search was initiated, which ended shortly after 8:30 p.m. with a report that all victims had been found and no one was being missed.
For the remainder of this story see nltimes.nl
The skipper of one of the boats involved has been arrested, a procedure the Police describe as standard in fatal incidents. The other skipper involved is one of the injured in hospital, and will be interviewed by Police at a later stage. The arrested skipper was also breath tested, as is standard procedure, and was determined not to be under the influence of alcohol.
Volvo OR advised that their boats were all in the marina well before the fatal incident, and the incident was unrelated to their activities. Earlier in the day the In-Port Practice race was held followed by Pro-Am Racing.
Soon after the incident Volvo Ocean Race issued a statement:
We are saddened and concerned to learn of a serious accident Thursday evening between two boats on the waters off the Port of Scheveningen, adjacent to the Race Village.
No Volvo Ocean Race or team personnel were involved in the collision.
The Mayor of The Hague and local police confirmed at a press conference on Thursday night that the accident has resulted in one fatality. Three people have been taken to hospital, one in critical condition.
We send our condolences to the family and friends of those involved in the accident.
We are in contact with local emergency services and will support the local authorities on site in any way we can.
Because of the accident, the City decided to close the Race Village early on Thursday night and will make appropriate changes to programming for Friday.
The final race in the 2017/18 Volvo Ocean Race, the In Port Race is scheduled for Saturday.
[Click image below to go to de Telegraaf images and video of the incident's aftermath]
After the incident, Pauline Krikke, Mayor of The Hague, said in a written statement:
This evening a terrible accident took place in the Scheveningen harbour. Two boats collided. It concerns a steel motorboat and a so called RIB. On the RIB were eight people: seven guests and the driver. On the motorboat were three people.
The incident caused one casualty. The casualty has been identified. The police have informed the family of the casualty. My thoughts are in the first place with the casualty and the relatives. Today is a very sad day for them.
In addition, multiple people were injured. Three people were taken to the hospital, of which one is seriously injured. Seven people were taken care of on site.
With everything I have in me, I hope they will recover well. Victim support is available to support visitors, public and others if desired. Anyone who wishes to receive support, can go to the Port Office in Scheveningen.
Police and OM will investigate the cause and circumstances of the incident. We wait for the results. I don’t want to and I cannot react to questions regarding this.
The Volvo Ocean Race stopover has been a wonderful event, which The Hague and Scheveningen have enjoyed very much. But this accident throws a dark shadow on it.
For now, I like to thank all emergency services and everybody involved for their work. As soon as we know more, we will inform you.
For other earlier reporting click here