Pile up as motorists battle icy roads

25 February 2004

AMSTERDAM — Amid warnings of icy roads and winter storms, a trauma helicopter air lifted two injured people to hospital after a pile up involving 11 cars and two trucks on the A13 motorway on Wednesday.

The severely injured victims were left trapped in their vehicle as a result of the collision and had to be cut from the wreckage by fire brigade officers. They were transported to a hospital in The Hague.

Police said the Rotterdam-Rijkswijk motorway was sealed off for several hours and Rotterdam and The Hague-bound motorists were diverted via Gouda. A 13km traffic jam developed for a period on the A13.

The accident occurred near the city of Delft in the late morning during a severe hail and snowstorm, news agency nu.nl reported.

The left-hand lane of the motorway was given the all clear at about 2.45pm and the rest of the motorway was expected to be reopened later on Wednesday afternoon.

Meanwhile, wintry showers with hail and snow were moving from the north-west across the rest of the country on Wednesday. The sudden snowfalls led to slippery roads and reduced visibility for motorists and dozens of accidents were reported in morning traffic.

Besides the multi-car collision on the A13, the national police force KLPD said only minor injuries and light vehicle damage were reported elsewhere.

Dutch motor vehicle association ANWB said a large number of traffic delays were reported and despite the school holidays, the morning peak hour was busier than normal.

In a short space of time, 3cm of snow fell on the A2 motorway (Utrecht-Amsterdam), leading to problems for motorists and an eventual 17km traffic jam.

In the earlier hours of Wednesday, the A4 motorway between Amsterdam and The Hague was closed for 30 minutes after a collision at Roelofarendsveen. The accident was blamed on slippery roads.

The ANWB warned of worsening conditions in the afternoon after weather bureau KNMI said the wintry storms will intensify leading again to slippery roads.

Subject: Dutch news