Carla Koning & Oscar Heijn's Fatal Crash @ Rally Pro Amsterdam 2013 (Aftermath)
- 5 months ago
The 2013 edition of the RallyPro Amsterdam Short Rally was marred by an accident involving spectators, that resulted in the death of two people: a 41-year-old woman who was killed on the spot, and a 12-year-old boy who passed away almost two weeks later at hospital.
It happened on Sunday, 01 September, 2013, during the second special stage of the rally, held in the Westelijk Havengebied area of the city of Amsterdam, Netherlands. On the approach to a tight bend at a point where the course doubled back on itself, the Mitsubishi Colt #55 entered by the Van der Heijden rally team, went out of control. The car driven by Wessel Van der Heijden braked sharply seconds before it ploughed into the crowd.
Almost five persons were hit by the car. Carla Koning, 41-year-old from Zaandam, Netherlands, was killed upon impact. She was watching the rally with her husband, Henk Koning who was also injured in the crash. A 11-year-old boy from Wormer, Oscar Hejin, was taken to hospital in critical condition. Sadly, he never recovered and succumbed to his injuries on Saturday, 14 September 2013. Some of the first newspaper reports erroneously indicated that the boy was the deceased woman's son.
The driver Wessel Van der Heijden, 23, from Tilburg and his 25-year-old navigator Martin Nortier escaped unhurt. Another child who was also hurt in the collision was taken to hospital for treatment.
After the accident the special stage was immediately stopped and the rally was cancelled. Sixty teams were taking part in the 31st edition of the RallyPro Amsterdam Short Rally, which was part of the Open Dutch Rally Championship.
R.I.P
It happened on Sunday, 01 September, 2013, during the second special stage of the rally, held in the Westelijk Havengebied area of the city of Amsterdam, Netherlands. On the approach to a tight bend at a point where the course doubled back on itself, the Mitsubishi Colt #55 entered by the Van der Heijden rally team, went out of control. The car driven by Wessel Van der Heijden braked sharply seconds before it ploughed into the crowd.
Almost five persons were hit by the car. Carla Koning, 41-year-old from Zaandam, Netherlands, was killed upon impact. She was watching the rally with her husband, Henk Koning who was also injured in the crash. A 11-year-old boy from Wormer, Oscar Hejin, was taken to hospital in critical condition. Sadly, he never recovered and succumbed to his injuries on Saturday, 14 September 2013. Some of the first newspaper reports erroneously indicated that the boy was the deceased woman's son.
The driver Wessel Van der Heijden, 23, from Tilburg and his 25-year-old navigator Martin Nortier escaped unhurt. Another child who was also hurt in the collision was taken to hospital for treatment.
After the accident the special stage was immediately stopped and the rally was cancelled. Sixty teams were taking part in the 31st edition of the RallyPro Amsterdam Short Rally, which was part of the Open Dutch Rally Championship.
R.I.P