Mayor Thanks First Responders at Train Accident

On behalf of the Voorschoten municipal government, Mayor Nadine Stemerdink thanked all emergency responders who assisted during the April 4 train accident at a private gathering yesterday. In the historic Marotzaal at Duivenvoorde Castle, 200 volunteers and professionals listened to the mayor and to Hans Zuidijk, general director and regional commander of the Hollands Midden Safety Region.

“First and foremost, my thoughts are with crane operator Martin,” says the mayor. “I wish his loved ones much strength in the days ahead. Special thanks also go to the management and staff of Kasteel Duivenvoorde for their hospitality in welcoming us here. But above all, I am incredibly proud of you as first responders. Proud of the professionalism with which you carried out your work.”

Crisis Response Plan Rolled Out

Mayor Stemerdink looks back on the past week, from the first phone call in the middle of the night to the follow-up care. “Even before we fully understood what had happened on Tuesday night, emergency services were already arriving in our village to assist the victims and mobilize the crisis response team. On behalf of the Voorschoten municipal government, I would like to thank you all very much for that.”

Souvenir

As a memento, all first responders will receive a small glass artwork. The mayor will present the first one to the commander of the Voorschoten Fire Department, who was among the very first to arrive on the scene to provide assistance. “This is a reminder of a tragic accident, but also of the impressive emergency response that was mobilized last week. Thank you for the tremendous dedication shown by you and your team—and by all of you!”

Collaboration

Last night, the last two train sets were transported away on flatbed trucks. The freight train and the first two train sets had already been moved off the tracks earlier. ProRail Incident Response coordinated the recovery operation in close collaboration with NS, the Rijnland Water Board, Dunea, Mammoet, BAM, and the municipality. We are immensely grateful to the Van Vliet family and Nippon Express for allowing the majority of the work to be carried out safely from their property.

Updates from ProRail

There is extensive damage to the overhead wires, the tracks, the adjacent Voorschoten station, and the pasture. The underground cabling also needs to be repaired. ProRail has launched a special news page, , with updates on the track repairs.

Victim Assistance

Do you need victim assistance? Call 0900-0101 or visit the dedicated webpage at from Victim Assistance Netherlands.