Home Nurse Lena, 53, Killed in Emblem Collision
A beloved home nurse has been killed in a devastating traffic collision in Emblem, near Ranst in Antwerp province, leaving a community in mourning. Lena Van Reeth, 53, died at the scene on Wednesday morning after her car collided head-on with a concrete mixer truck on the Oostmalsesteenweg.
According to Het Laatste Nieuws, the accident occurred in the early morning, just 200 meters from the entrance of Campus Vesta, the emergency services training center. Lena was on her way to begin her home nursing rounds for the day.
A Dedicated Caregiver
Lena had been working as a caregiver (zorgkundige) at Wit-Gele Kruis Antwerpen in the Lier department since April 2025. The organization, Flanders’ largest home nursing provider, released a heartfelt tribute to their colleague.
“Lena had such a big heart for her patients. No effort was too much for her,” said Peter Luyten, Lena’s department head, as reported by HLN. “Where needed, she always went that ‘extra mile,’ something for which the patients were always very grateful. Within the team, she was also a real pillar of support. She was always willing to help colleagues and think along. Her zest for life, warm smile, and helpfulness will always stay with us.”
Stefaan Sarens, General Director of Wit-Gele Kruis Antwerpen, expressed the organization’s grief. “Words fail us at this moment. Our thoughts go out to the family, friends, and loved ones of Lena. This tragic news deeply affects us all. As Wit-Gele Kruis, we are one big family.”
The Accident
The VRT NWS reported that the collision was so severe that Lena’s car ended up in a ditch beside the road. Emergency services arrived promptly, but she could not be saved and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the concrete mixer truck was uninjured but deeply traumatized by the incident. He was tested at the scene and returned negative results on both breathalyzer and saliva drug tests, clearing him of any suspicion of impairment.
A traffic expert has been appointed by the public prosecutor’s office to investigate the exact circumstances of the collision. The Oostmalsesteenweg was fully closed from the Nijlensesteenweg to the Lier ring road while both vehicles were towed from the scene. The concrete mixer had to be emptied before it could be removed.
Community Support and Mourning
Wit-Gele Kruis has mobilized support for its staff in the wake of the tragedy. “Especially Lena’s close colleagues have been deeply affected by the news. They are being supported today and in the coming days by us as management and by the department leadership,” Sarens said. A mourning corner has been set up in the department, and a condolence register has been opened on the organization’s intranet.
The organization has also ensured continuity of care for Lena’s patients, with colleagues taking over her rounds and providing emotional support to those who have lost their trusted caregiver.
Broader Concerns
The accident has reignited local concerns about road safety on the Oostmalsesteenweg. Comments on local news articles describe it as a dangerous road, with one resident noting that renovation plans have been pending for 11 years. The Flanders government has a project page mentioning plans for bicycle path construction along the N14 in Ranst, indicating ongoing infrastructure development in the area.
This tragedy also highlights the risks faced by home healthcare workers, who spend significant time on the road traveling between patients. For the families, colleagues, and patients who depended on Lena, the loss is immeasurable.
As one patient’s family member wrote in tribute: “Thank you for everything you did for my mother, Lena.”
What’s Next
The traffic expert’s investigation into the cause of the collision is ongoing. No funeral or memorial service arrangements have been announced at this time. The community of Ranst and the wider Antwerp region continue to mourn the loss of a caregiver remembered for her warmth, dedication, and selfless service.