Pinkpop “deeply shocked” after fatal hit and run

One person lost their life and three more were injured after a van collided with a crowd of people after Pinkpop in the early hours of this morning.

The Dutch festival says in a statement it is “deeply shocked”, and that its thoughts are with victims and their families.

The hit-and-run incident occurred at 4am, near Pinkpop’s campsite B, on a public road, Mensheggerweg, according to the municipality of Landgraaf. The driver of the white Fiat Doblo van, a 34-year-old man from Heerlen, later handed himself into police.

A press briefing was held at Landgraaf Burgerhoes (municipal hall) at noon local time today, during which Landgraaf mayor Raymond Vlecken revealed the man is being held on suspicion of manslaughter, with his seized by police for forensic examination.

“What started as a beautiful party ended in tragedy,” Vlecken told reporters. “We are all very saddened by this terrible news. I want to express my condolences to the [victims’] next of kin.

“What started as a beautiful party ended in tragedy”

The incident casts a shadow on what had otherwise been a successful edition of Pinkpop, which is the longest continuously running rock/pop festival in the world, having taken place in the southern Netherlands since 1970. Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters and Bruno Mars headlined Pinkpop 2018, which sold out all its 45,000 weekend tickets in April.

Pinkpop, organised by Jan Smeets’ Festivals Limburg BV, agreed a contract extension with Landgraaf on the opening day of the festival (Friday 15 June), meaning it will stay in the area until at least 2040. “We are honoured that this fantastic festival wants to continue in Landgraaf for a longer period of time,” say Landgraaf mayor Raymond Vlecken and alderman Freed Janssen in a joint statement. “Pinkpop is of great value to our municipality, both in terms of brand recognition and economic impact.

“The commission is looking forward to continuing the excellent cooperation with the organisation of Pinkpop.”

Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.

Read More Like This

News|02 Nov 2023

Coldplay’s Portugal run generates €36m for economy

Portuguese promoter Everything is Now spent €545,000 renovating the stadium in Coimbra to enable it to host the shows

News|06 Nov 2023

The Weeknd postpones Australia & New Zealand run

The Canadian singer was set to play 11 stadium dates across Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland from 20 November

News|14 Mar 2024

Notes Live to run new 20,000-seat amphitheatre

The Sunset Amphitheater in McKinney, Texas is expected to be completed in time for the 2026 touring season

News|14 Mar 2024

U2’s Sphere run closes after 700k+ ticket sales

The band played to fans from over 100 countries across 40 sold-out dates, held in partnership with Live Nation and Sphere Entertainment

News|16 Nov 2023

CTS Eventim revenues hit €1.75bn for year-to-date

Tours by Taylor Swift, Paul McCartney and Coldplay have lifted the German-headquartered pan-European giant to new heights in 2023 so far