A fatal accident occurred in the port of Scheveningen on Thursday evening in which a steel motor yacht and a rib collided. There were three people on board the motor yacht, eight on the rib: the driver and seven guests. A person was killed in the terrible accident. Several were injured, one seriously. A total of seven people had to be treated as a result of the collision. One of the skippers involved was arrested according to the Dutch daily "De Telegraaf" - according to the police spokesman, the usual procedure in a fatal accident. The other skipper is in the hospital and should be heard at a later date. A first alcohol test is said to have shown that the arrested skipper was not under the influence of alcohol.
The Hague Mayor Pauline Krikke said that she wholeheartedly wants the injured to recover quickly. She also offered victim helpers to all those affected, family members, friends and visitors to The Hague. Police and port authorities have started the investigation into the case. "We are waiting for the results. I do not want to and cannot respond to questions at the moment."
The leading Dutch daily newspaper "De Telegraaf" reported on the accident
The mayor continued: "The stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race was a wonderful event that The Hague and Scheveningen really enjoyed. But this accident now casts a dark shadow over it. At the moment I would like to thank the rescue workers involved and everyone else for their work When we know more, we will share the information."
The Volvo Ocean Race Management also reacted to the accident. In a statement it said: "We are sad and concerned about the news of a serious accident between two boats on Thursday evening in the waters off the port of Scheveningen near the Race Village. No Volvo Ocean Race team and no members of our team were involved The Mayor of The Hague confirmed at a press conference on Thursday evening that one person had died. Three were taken to hospital, one of which is in critical condition. We would like to express our condolences to the families and friends of everyone involved in this accident We are in contact with the local rescue workers and will provide the authorities with the best possible support. Due to the accident, the city decided to close the Race Village earlier on Thursday and make appropriate changes for the program on Friday.
For the Volvo Ocean Race, this is the third death that occurred in or around the race for the 13th time. On the stage to Hong Kong, a Chinese fisherman lost his life in the collision between the boat of the Danish-American team Vestas 11th Hour Racing and a fishing boat. On the Cape Horn stage from Auckland to Itajaí, John Fischer in the Sun Hung Kai / Scallywag team went overboard in a storm and could not be found by his crew despite a desperate search.