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Assassination attempt on Dutch royal family

Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 10:08 am
by Sionnach Glic
The driver of a car that killed five people after crashing into crowds watching a Dutch royal parade has died from his injuries.

The man, a Dutch national, died in hospital overnight, officials said.

Karst Tates, 38, was critically injured after his attempted attack on the royal family in Apeldoorn on Thursday.

His car crashed into a monument after ploughing into bystanders who were marking Queen's Day in the town, some 90km (56 miles) east of Amsterdam.

Television pictures showed members of the royal family looking on in horror from an open-topped bus as the incident unfolded metres away from them.

Twelve people remain injured in hospital.

Officials said on Thursday the driver had confessed to police that he intended to attack the royal family.

After searching the car and his home, investigators ruled out terrorism as a motive and said it appeared he had acted alone.

Re: Assassination attempt on Dutch royal family

Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 2:06 pm
by shran
There were also at least 6 people killed by his actions. None of royal descent, though.

Re: Assassination attempt on Dutch royal family

Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 2:48 pm
by Tsukiyumi
How bizarre. What did the Dutch royal family ever do to anybody?

Re: Assassination attempt on Dutch royal family

Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 3:41 pm
by Sionnach Glic
I've heard that the guy had lost his job, and was facing eviction. He could have done this in an attempt to "go out in a blaze of glory", so to say.

Re: Assassination attempt on Dutch royal family

Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 5:35 pm
by thelordharry
And all he succeeded in doing was killing several poor, innocent people. Kinda makes you hope there really is an afterlife for divine retribution...