Boy (7) Critical After Traffic Accident in Lille

A 7-year-old boy from Dilbeek is in critical condition after being struck by a delivery van in Lille, a municipality in Belgium’s Antwerp province, on Saturday evening. The child was rushed to University Hospital Antwerp (UZA) with life-threatening injuries after suddenly crossing the street on the Veenzijde in Gierle, a sub-municipality of Lille, according to VRT NWS.

The Incident

The accident occurred around 20:30 hours on the Veenzijde, a quiet residential street between fields near the intersection with Kloosterstraat. The boy, who was visiting family in the area and attending a family celebration, suddenly ran onto the road and was hit by a passing delivery van that could not avoid the collision.

“There was a family celebration going on in the area,” said Marleen Peeters, Mayor of Lille. “The 7-year-old boy suddenly ran onto the street. The driver of a delivery van could no longer avoid him and hit him.”

The impact was severe. Emergency services arrived at the scene and provided initial care before transporting the boy in critical condition to UZA in Antwerp. His older brother, who was deeply affected by witnessing the incident, was also taken to the hospital for a check-up, according to RTV.

Investigation Underway

The Antwerp public prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into the circumstances of the accident. Initial findings suggest that the boy may have emerged from behind a parked car, potentially obstructing the driver’s view.

“From the initial findings, it appears as if the boy came from behind a parked car,” said Kristof Aerts, spokesperson for the Antwerp public prosecutor’s office. “The driver passed a negative alcohol and drug test. The investigation into what exactly happened is still ongoing.”

Authorities have also indicated that the driver was not believed to have been speeding. The driver of the delivery van was not injured but was deeply shaken by the incident, as reported by HLN.

Condition Remains Critical

As of Sunday afternoon, the boy’s condition remained unchanged and critical, according to police. The child, whose initials have been reported as M.V.G., is from Dilbeek, a municipality in Flemish Brabant near Brussels, and was visiting relatives in the Lille area at the time of the accident.

Belga news agency reported that the accident took place at approximately 20:38 hours, and confirmed that the boy was transported to the university hospital in critical condition.

Context and Previous Incidents

The Veenzijde in Gierle is described as a long street between fields with detached houses, typically quiet and residential. Lille is a rural municipality in the heart of Antwerp province with over 17,000 inhabitants, comprising four villages since the 1977 municipal merger: Gierle, Lille, Poederlee, and Wechelderzande.

This is not the first serious traffic accident involving a delivery van in the municipality. In April 2022, a 26-year-old woman from Herentals was killed on the Poederleeseweg in Lille when she was hit by a delivery van while crossing at a zebra crossing near an Aldi supermarket.

What to Watch For

The investigation by the Antwerp public prosecutor’s office is ongoing, and further details about the exact circumstances of the accident may emerge as authorities continue their work. The focus remains on the young victim’s recovery, with the community and family hoping for positive news from the hospital.

The incident also highlights ongoing concerns about road safety for children in residential areas, particularly during summer gatherings when families come together. Local authorities and safety advocates will likely examine whether additional measures are needed to protect young pedestrians in similar settings.