A 12-year-old British boy tragically lost his life, and five members of his family sustained injuries in a devastating crash on the E40 motorway near Veurne, Belgium.
The accident occurred in the early hours of Thursday morning, around 1 am, as the family travelled in a BMW X5 towards the French border.
According to local reports, the vehicle lost control, flipped over, and came to rest on its roof on the verge. The car’s automatic emergency call system alerted emergency services to the scene.
In a statement to The Telegraph, local police confirmed: “There were a total of six occupants in the car. One of them, a 12-year-old boy with British nationality, was ejected from the vehicle and succumbed to his injuries.”
The other family members were rushed to hospital. Four suffered minor injuries, while one sustained more serious wounds but is reportedly in a stable condition.
The West Flanders Prosecutor’s Office in Veurne is leading the investigation into the crash. Preliminary findings suggest that adverse weather conditions, aquaplaning, and an unadjusted speed contributed to the tragedy.
A spokesperson for the Prosecutor’s Office stated: “No other vehicles were involved in the accident. The investigation is ongoing.”
This heartbreaking incident highlights the dangers of challenging driving conditions and serves as a reminder of the importance of caution on the roads.
