Genealogy code: K XII l.1
A report about an orange glow. A loud crash. The initial calls to the 112 emergency dispatch center were vague. Nonetheless, Emergency Coordinator Eric Vreugdenhil (49) had to make crucial decisions immediately after the train disaster in Voorschoten. He reflects on the biggest task of his career. The magnitude of the incident became apparent within minutes. “Calls kept coming in from around the train, and the first reports of casualties started coming in too.” It took a while to realize that both the freight train and the passenger train were involved in the accident. Often, nocturnal incidents fade quickly into the background of Vreugdenhil’s mind. “This was different: even nearly a week later, I’m still deeply affected by it. Did I learn anything from that night? Especially the acceptance that it’s impossible to grasp everything. And that, even with incomplete information, you can still make thoughtful decisions.”choices that potentially saved lives.”