The victims of Tuesday’s accident in East Flanders are gradually becoming known. Four people were killed when a school minibus was hit by a train at a level crossing shortly after 8.00: two children, a 27-year-old supervisor and the 49-year-old driver. An investigation is under way to determine how the crash happened. Mohamed Reda, 15, and Arthur, 12, were on the bus. Arthur loved snails and drawing and is described as ‘a ray of sunshine’. Mohamed had sparkling eyes, distinctive curls and loved football.
Young victims of Buggenhout crash: Mohamed ‘always had something mischievous about him’, Arthur was ‘a ray of sunshine’
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VRT received a photo from the family of the two boys to share. It shows two smiling boys, which is how the management and teachers of their school describe them.
It was Arthur’s first year in Buggenhout. “He was super cheerful,” says head teacher Jolien Roef. “He reminded us of the sun.”
“He was still young, very playful,” adds teacher Jonathan Van Hemelryck. “His childlike nature was still very noticeable; there wasn't a shred of malice in him. I remember above all his genuine cheerfulness, his kindness, his sweetness.”
I remember above all his genuine cheerfulness, his kindness, his sweetness
He loved snails, practised judo and was good at drawing. A small memorial set up by the school bears witness to this. One of his drawings lies on the table, featuring numerous figures: watermelons, a spider, a pineapple.
Mohamed’s spot shows packages he had wrapped during a lesson, and a reflection assignment about who he was. “He kept persevering, found a lot of connection, made friends, and left an impression,” says Roef. “He tried to find his way and his place, and he really found that in the last few weeks.”
He had been on a school trip to the woods just last week. “He was well-liked in the group and had also had very good contact with other students during the school trip,” says teacher Tiffany Hermans. “He was a very cheerful student, a cool, sweet, nice little guy. He always had a mischievous streak in him. They are absolutely, certainly going to be so missed. Both of them.”
