Two men remain in critical condition at the hospital following a fatal single-vehicle accident in Heibloem on Sunday afternoon, July 5, 2026.
The crash killed four people, including 38-year-old John Nouwen, a local politician and former participant in the television show Boer zoekt Vrouw.
The survivors are a 39-year-old man from Roggel and a 20-year-old man from Heythuysen.
They were among six people riding in the vehicle when it veered off the road and struck a tree.
The incident occurred around 2:30 p. m.
at Aan de Heibloem.
Relatives gathered at the police cordon after losing contact with the victims, later receiving confirmation of their deaths.
A police spokesperson confirmed that the road has since reopened to traffic.
The official investigation into the cause of the collision remains fully underway.
Nouwen served as a municipal council member for the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) in Leudal.
The CDA Leudal board and parliamentary group issued a statement expressing disbelief and deep sadness.
“We have learned with disbelief, deep dismay and sadness of the death of our council member John Nouwen.
For many of us, John was not only a committed and passionate council member, but also a personal friend.
He had a heart for our community and for the people around him. His humor, his alertness and his perfectionism were striking qualities.
As a council member, he was extra driven to represent the agricultural sector. He always did so in a constructive manner and with great expertise.
His death leaves a huge void. We are deeply shocked,” the statement read.
The political group expressed condolences to Nouwen's young daughters, his family, and his close circle of friends.
They also acknowledged the grief shared by the families of the other victims.
“In addition, we deeply sympathize with the other victims of this terrible drama and with their families and loved ones.
The grief they must bear is almost incomprehensible. Words fail us.
For the injured, we pray and fervently hope that they will recover,” the statement added.
The party leadership extended wishes of strength, love, and support to all the loved ones affected by the incident.
