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Dutchman Dies After Attempted Attack on Queen

Assailant killed 5 by ramming his car into crowd

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted May 1, 2009 5:43 AM CDT

(Newser) – The man who drove his car into a crowd at a parade in an attempted attack on the queen of the Netherlands died of his injuries today. Five people were killed and 12 injured after 38-year-old Karst Tates rammed his car through two police barricades and careened toward an open-top bus carrying the royal family.

Tates is believed to be a security guard who had recently been fired, but he had no criminal record or history of mental illness. He admitted during his arrest that his attack was aimed at the royal family, said an official. "We are speechless that something so terrible could have happened," said Queen Beatrix, who offered her condolences to the victims and their families in a rare television appearance.

[Images (6)]

[Videos (1)]

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands greets wellwishers shortly before a car ploughed into the crowd, during festivities marking Queen's Day in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, yesterday. (AP Photo/Robin Utrecht, Pool)

Crown Prince Willem Alexander, Princess Maxima and Dutch Queen Beatrix, from left, share a laugh before a car ploughed into spectators in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, yesterday. (AP Photo/Robin Utrecht, Pool)

A speeding car that raced toward an open bus carrying Dutch Queen Beatrix and her family during a holiday parade has killed five people and injured 12 others. (AP Photo/Robin Utrecht, Pool)

A Red Cross worker gives first aid to a victim moments after a car slammed into a monument in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, yesterday. (AP Photo/Robin Utrecht, Pool)

The royal bus was not hit and no one in the queen's entourage was injured. (AP Photo/Cynthia Boll)

The speeding car raced toward an open bus carrying Queen Beatrix and her family during celebrations for the national Queen's Day holiday, careening through spectators. (AP Photo/Lex van Lieshout, Pool)

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A man who drove his car into a crowd of people near Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands has died of his injuries. (CNN Video)

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Dutchman Dies After Attempted Attack on Queen