Car pierced facade of family business: « Fortunately I was not in the office, otherwise I might not have survived » (Sint-Truiden)
Gelinden car against home – © Jozef Croughs
A young driver lost control of the steering wheel on the Luikersteenweg in Gelinden on Wednesday morning. The motorist, who drove towards Liège, drove off his lane and came to the other side of the road frontally to the facade of the Mika-Car company.
The accident happened around 3 o’clock. The driver suffered minor injuries in the accident and was taken care of on the spot. However, the material damage to the building is considerable. Due to the severe impact, cracks arose in both the inside and outside walls, and the office was completely destroyed. Furniture, cupboards and computer material are irreparably damaged.
© Jozef Croughs
The Zuidwest Limburg assistance zone immediately arrived to support the building for the time being and to prevent further collapse.
« We woke up from a fierce bang, » says Kathy Hayen, manager of the family business. « When my father looked out of the window, he saw a car next to our house until his dismay. Fortunately I was not in the office at the time, otherwise I might not have survived. »
Damaged
There is also uncertainty about the vehicles that were ready for technical inspection in the driveway. In daylight it will show whether they have also been damaged.
© Jozef Croughs
Fire brigade captain Martijn Stassen commissioned to investigate the stability of the building. The home may be temporarily declared uninhabitable. In that case, the residents will be looking for shelter in a hotel for the time being.
A further investigation into the correct cause of the accident is ongoing.
:format(jpeg):fill(f8f8f8,true)/s3/static.nrc.nl/taxonomy/bf9b707-commentaar-itemafbeelding-2024.png "What does NRC think | Ikon judgment is justice, but that does not make El Salvador an exemplary rule of law yet")
