Vallery Ana Tasya, an 18-year-old girl from Viersel (Zandhoven) was hit by a truck in front of the station square in Berchem last Saturday. — © PDR, RR
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The two fatal accidents on the square in front of Antwerp-Berchem train station were both caused by a truck from the same company that delivered to sandwich shop Panos. Last Saturday and Monday, two women were killed when they were hit by a truck that reversed on the Burgemeester Edgard Ryckaertsplein. It is forbidden to drive on the square, says the Antwerp police, who placed crush barriers on Tuesday morning. One of the two victims was an 18-year-old girl from Viersel (Zandhoven), the other is a 55-year-old woman from Borgerhout.
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“It is true that the two fatal collisions that happened on the Burgemeester Edgard Ryckaertsplein on Monday and Saturday were twice caused by a truck from our subcontractor that delivered to our customer Panos,” says Nele Van Malderen, communications director of bakery supplier La Lorraine. “Both drivers involved did not follow our instructions because the accidents happened in a different place than the address we had given in our instruction. As is known, traffic is not allowed on the square. What makes it even more incomprehensible is that they are two almost identical accidents that happened while reversing.”
“We are devastated and dumbfounded. We have no words for this,” Van Malderen responds. “Irreparable harm has been done. We are currently holding a crisis meeting and are examining at the highest level whether we should take measures against the company or the drivers involved. We are now evaluating whether we want to continue with that company. There have never been any problems with the subcontractor before.”
After the two fatal accidents, several crush barriers were placed on Mayor Edgard Ryckaertsplein on Tuesday. Delivery vans and trucks can no longer enter the square for deliveries at the station. That was already banned anyway.
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nelo, cds
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