“Always cheerful, energetic, just a good guy.” This is how Tarik describes his nephew. While he and his brother are on their way to Sophia Children’s Hospital in Rotterdam, Tarik tells the story of him. “It’s still unreal. Emotional. We have so many misunderstandings.”
Naoufel went shopping with his father and 13-year-old sister. They were standing in front of the intersection on Loosduinseweg. He knew that Naoufel was not allowed to cross to the green light.
Energetic as he is, Naoufel stumbled upon as soon as the red light disappeared. Suddenly there was a light-colored car, which came at full speed towards the pedestrian crossing. There was no evasion, Tarik’s grandson was hit by a car. The driver continued without slowing down.
“His father and sister ran to Naoufel,” says Tarik. They worried about the little boy who was lying on the street, badly injured. “His 13-year-old sister called the emergency services as soon as possible.”
broken neck
Naoufel is only six years old and her body is already badly damaged. “He broke his neck,” Tarik lists the injuries. “Also, his spleen is ruptured, his kidney is ruptured and there is a problem with his lungs. How it will be further revealed when he wakes up.”
Because Naoufel is in a coma. For the first few days it was artificial, but the doctors have been trying to get it out for two days. “It hasn’t worked yet,” sighs Tarik. “From time to time he moves his feet or shakes our hands. This afternoon he moaned and even cried. But his eyes still don’t open.”
Tarik got a call from the police today. A 19-year-old man from The Hague showed up at the station. He could be the driver of the car. In any case, he is suspected of being involved in the accident.
Double feelings
“We have so many mixed feelings. On the one hand we are happy that the offender may have been arrested, on the other hand we still live in uncertainty about how Naoufel will wake up from a coma.”
But most of all, Tarik is angry. “If this is the driver of the car, why didn’t he come forward until five days after the accident? He doesn’t sound like someone who is sorry, but more like someone who notices the police are looking for him.”
The car involved in the accident was seized today by the carabinieri. The silver-gray Toyota Yaris was located in Uitenhagestraat, around the corner from the crash site. Tarik said the car was parked in a garage.
Car in the garage
Which also stings: “Did he try to get his car done? I don’t think he really regretted it.” An investigation must determine if the car was actually involved in the accident and who was driving. Police did not confirm that the car was parked in a garage.
This week has been a rollercoaster of emotions. Now Tarik and his family can only wait and fervently hope that their precious Naoufel will one day come back around so cheerful and energetic. “I haven’t left his bed. Let’s try to be with Naoufel as much as possible.”
