British minibus driver taking Jewish group back to London dies and 15 injured in Belgium
British minibus driver taking Jewish group back to London dies, 15-year-old fights for life and 15 others injured after vehicle overturns in Belgium ‘while driving away after collision with another car’
- The minibus crashed after the driver lost control in the city of Antwerp, Belgium
A British minibus driver taking a Jewish group back to London has died and 16 others were injured after the vehicle overturned in Belgium.
A 15-year-old boy is still in critical condition and fighting for his life after the driver lost control around 3:30am Sunday morning after reportedly hitting another car in the northern city of Antwerp.
The 67-year-old driver allegedly failed to stop after hitting a BMW and continued his journey at high speed before losing control of the wheel as he attempted to enter the ring road, according to local media reports.
The minibus then hit a tram pole and flipped onto its side, killing the driver instantly and leaving the 15-year-old boy in a critical condition. According to police, 15 other passengers were injured in the accident.
The 15-year-old boy, who is suffering from life-threatening injuries, is currently being treated at Sint Vincentius Hospital in Antwerp.
A minibus carrying British Jews crashed in Belgium, killing the driver and injuring 16 people, one of them seriously
Police and ambulance were seen on Sunday evening at the scene of the accident in Antwerp, Belgium
The injuries of the rest on board were described as minor and most had already been released from hospital by Monday morning.
The driver of the BMW involved in the minor collision has also been taken to hospital after going into shock when he saw the minibus crash.
It is not clear from local media reports how serious the collision with the BMW was. Crime scene footage showed part of the car’s bumper missing after the crash.
Antwerp police spokesman Wouter Bruyns told local media: ‘The driver of the BMW followed the bus but stopped when he saw a police car.
The man reported the collision and the police patrol chased the bus.
‘When the patrol arrived at the intersection of Sint-Bernardsesteenweg and Generaal Armstrongweg, the bus was already on its side.
‘The medical intervention plan has been declared. Most of the occupants suffered minor injuries, but were taken to hospital anyway.
The police were seen on Sunday evening at the scene of the accident in Antwerp, Belgium
“A 15-year-old has been injured so badly that he is in critical condition. Unfortunately, all help came too late for the driver. He died on the spot.’
The victim provided a regular bus service between the Jewish community in London and the Hasidic community led by Rabbi Leibish Leiser in Antwerp.
The group was returning to London when the accident happened.
The Pshevorsk movement led by Rabbi Leiser – the only internationally recognized Hasidic movement based in Antwerp – also has followers in London and Manchester.
Buses run from the UK to Antwerp almost weekly, allowing believers to attend Saturday prayers and meals at the synagogue on Mercatorstraat.
The visitors then usually stay with family or friends in the town before returning to the UK.
MailOnline has contacted the UK Foreign Office for comment.
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