An elderly woman has wrecked 6 graves at a graveyard at Kerksken, in the East Flemish municipality of Haaltert. The woman lost control of her vehicle and ran over the graves, wrecking tombstones, flowers and plants in the process. The woman reported often drives her car into the cemetery and up to the grave she wishes to visit. Although previously this had always been without incident, things went badly wrong on Monday afternoon.
6 graves wrecked after driver loses control of her vehicle at East Flemish graveyard
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A relative of one of the deceased people whose grave was wrecked told VRT News that "This has caused us a lot of emotional pain”. The motorist was taken to hospital with minor injuries and shock.
The grave of Thierry Van Eecken grandfather was one of those wrecked. He told VRT News that “This is not just about material damage. It hurts to see the photo next to the wrecked grave”.
Witnesses said that it wasn’t the first time that the woman had driven her car into the cemetery. “She doesn’t use the parking spaces that are provided, but often drives right up to the grave that she comes to visit”
The woman had reportedly already been issued with a warning about this as it is forbidden to drive a car into the cemetery.
The municipal authority says that it will have the graves restored. Mayor Phaedra Van Keymolen (Christian democrat) says “We understand that this hurts the relatives. We have already started claim proceedings with our insurance company.”
Ms Van Keymolen added that pending a complete restoration of the graves, a provisional restoration work will be carried out.