A second boy has been struck and killed by a police car in Belgium. This time it was purely accidental | Credits: Belga News Agency
Belgium is mourning the second death of a child hit and killed by a police car, although on this occasion, it was an accident. Antwerp police tried to resuscitate a nine-year-old boy who was hit while crossing the road by a van responding to an emergency call.
The Belga News Agency reported on Thursday that the accident occurred on the Provinciestraat early on Wednesday morning.
A police van had received an alert and was en route to attend an emergency case. The Belgian news outlet reported that a railway police vehicle was on the street at the same time and had moved to one side to allow its colleagues to pass through.
Unfortunately, the child was also crossing at the same time and was struck by the police van, whose passengers tried to resuscitate the child. However, the attempts failed, and the boy died at the scene. The officers were traumatised by the incident and are receiving psychological assistance.
The boy died at the scene
“The police officers immediately started administering first aid themselves while waiting for the emergency medical services,” the Antwerp public prosecutor’s office said. “Unfortunately, the boy died at the scene. Our first thoughts are with the victim’s family.”
Antwerp’s local prosecutor has ordered the Permanent Oversight Committee of the Police to carry out an investigation into the accident.
The news agency reported that the police car had its siren and flashing lights activated on its way to the callout, according to the initial investigation.
The Antwerp city council released a statement but did not comment on the accident itself, citing the ongoing investigation into the incident.
“In challenging times when our force is doing its utmost to ensure the safety of the people of Antwerp, the police vehicle was on its way to an urgent intervention,” the statement read. “The exact circumstances are being independently investigated.”
However, they did express their condolences. “Our thoughts are first and foremost with the victim’s family and loved ones,” it said in a statement. “No words can ease the immense grief they are experiencing at this time. We sympathise with them and wish them every strength and support during this unimaginably difficult time.”
The case of 11-year-old Fabian
On June 3rd in Brussels, Fabian, an 11-year-old boy, was killed by a police car chasing him because he was too young to be on an e-scooter. However, the police car rammed into the boy at high speed, and then ran over the boy with the front and rear tires.
The incident shocked many citizens, who wondered why a police car was speeding through a park. Several moments of remembrance were organised in Brussels, as well as in Liège and Namur, The Brussels Times reported.
Police officer is under arrest
On June 11th, the police officer who stands accused of hitting and killing Fabian was placed under house arrest, Brussels Prosecutor Julien Moinil said, according to a Politico report.
The police’s motive for giving chase, Moinil said at a press conference Wednesday, was “nothing other than him riding the scooter. There were no drugs, no aggression.”
Despite the tragedy and the way the police handled it, the officer’s detention sparked fury from police unions, as tension simmered among law enforcement and the local community, Politico added.