Dutch news in brief – 19 April - Expatica Netherlands

Rail workers fined for motorist’s death

Two maintenance employees of firm Strukton Railinfra were “unintentionally guilty” of a train accident on 31 October 2002 at the Veenendaal/De Klomp railway crossing, the Arnhem Court has ruled. The men were ordered to pay a fine of EUR 250 for their role in the accident, which cost the life of a 39-year-old motorist. Both men were working on the line when the railway boom gates remained open, but a train engineer was given a green light. The train collided with a car and the trailer of a truck. Dutch rail NS is claiming damages from Strukton Railinfra.

Special anti-football violence team probes Ajax riot

The special football vandalism team is investigating the riot that broke out after the match between the Ajax and Feyenoord reserve teams last week. The investigative team was set up last year to tackle violence in the Dutch Premier and First divisions. Ajax fans stormed the pitch after the team’s 3-1 victory at the Amsterdam venue De Toekomst (the Future) and attacked several Feyenoord players. Chilean import Jorge Acuna was hospitalised with concussion. Police have arrested four suspects.

Pregnant woman injured in fall from apartment

A 24-year-old man of Hoogvliet was arrested on Saturday on suspicion he pushed his 23-year-old pregnant girlfriend out of the window of a top-floor apartment on the Baarsweg, Rotterdam police said. It is alleged the man and woman had argued prior to the incident, but police are investigating whether the woman fell or was pushed. Despite the fact her fall was broken by thickets, the victim was taken to the Erasmus Medical Centre with serious injuries.

Explosion risk forces closure of A2 motorway

The A2 motorway was closed between Eindhoven and Maastricht on Monday after a truck caught fire near the Elsloo exit, posing the risk of explosion. Loaded with 11 tons of acetylene, the truck caught fire shortly before 5am after a rear wheel axle became jammed and overheated. The driver was treated for smoke inhalation at a nearby hospital. The fire brigade kept the gas cylinders cool and quickly brought the fire under control. No dangerous substances were released and the road was reopened shortly after 6am. Acetylene is a highly flammable gas used in welding.

Museum weekend attracts 950,000 visitors

About 950,000 people visited a museum on Saturday and Sunday in connection with the 24th annual National Museum Weekend. A spokesman from the National Museum Association said 530 museums spread across the entire country opened their doors to the public for free or for a reduced fee.

Subject: Dutch news