Woman, 58, dies after garden wall collapses on her in Vlaardingen

A 58-year-old woman from Vlaardingen has died after being trapped beneath a collapsed garden wall on Wednesday morning. Police confirmed her death after she was resuscitated at the scene and taken to hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries. The municipality called it a “tragic accident.”

The wall collapsed at approximately 8:45 a.m. in an alleyway between Fransenstraat and Waalstraat, in central Vlaardingen. Bystanders initially tried to free the woman from the debris before firefighters managed to reach her and began CPR.

Police have concluded their investigation and found no indication of a criminal offense. As a result, no criminal charges will be brought, a spokesperson confirmed.

Municipal building inspectors also attended the scene. The municipality said the wall stood on private property behind a fence and that it had received no prior reports or complaints about its condition. However, local residents told Vlaardingen24 that the wall was already slightly leaning before it collapsed. Some neighbours also said it had recently been reinforced, although apparently not sufficiently to prevent the collapse.

Neighbours said the woman had just collected her bicycle and was preparing to go exercising with a friend when the wall collapsed.

Two ambulances, firefighters and the Mobile Medical Team (MMT), a specialist medical team that responds to serious emergencies, were dispatched. A trauma helicopter also landed at Messchaertplein nearby.

Mayor Frederik Zevenbergen visited the scene later that morning to speak with residents and receive an update on the circumstances.