Queen's Day attacker dies (Updated: Death toll reaches 7)

Update: Death toll reaches seven. It was a civilian working as chauffeur for the Royal Marechaussee, the special military police force which protects the Queen.

Radio Netherlands reports today that the Queen's Day attacker has died, bringing the total deaths from this tragedy to six.

The 38-year-old Dutchman who killed five people and injured 12 during Queen's Day celebrations in Apeldoorn is dead. He died in hospital last night from serious injuries sustained after driving his car at high speed into a crowd in an attempt to hit the open-topped coach carrying the Royal Family. The car missed the royal coach by 15 metres and came to a standstill when it crashed into a well-known monument.

The perpetrator was an unemployed security guard named as Karst Tates. His neighbours in the east of the country say he was made redundant a few months ago. They describe him as a quiet, withdrawn person.

The five people killed are three men and two women. Among the injured are three children, aged 9, 15 and 16. A number of Antillean musicians also were hurt.

400 flower bouquets in orange, red, white and blue that were to be displayed on the steps of Het Loo Palace, are now being placed at the scene of yestrday's tragedy.