The chance that Gaston Truyens (97) and Maria Janssens (96) can still return to their home after a van crashed into them is very small. “There are cracks in all the walls,” says their son. “My parents are moving to an assisted living home, but their neighbors will not abandon them.”
A 28-year-old drunk driver rammed his van into the facade of the house where Gaston and Maria had lived for 61 years on Tuesday morning. The elderly couple sat at the breakfast table and miraculously didn’t even get a scratch. The same cannot be said about the house. “We have to wait and see what the experts say, but there are cracks everywhere in the walls, even in the rear facade,” says son Willy Truyens. “The chance that my parents will ever live there is actually non-existent.”
Gaston and Maria have not yet recovered from the shock. “I went to look at the house with father on Tuesday evening. He does not yet fully realize what has happened to them. Good thing we weren’t home, he said. But they were at home.”
Gaston Truyens and his wife Maria during the celebration of their 75th wedding anniversary this year together with mayor Paul Van Miert. — © RR
Lots of solidarity
The residents are very well taken care of by friends and family. “They could choose from three places where they could stay for the next few days,” says Willy Truyens. “The city’s social services provide us with very good guidance. My parents can move to a brand new assisted living home in Niefhout. We are already setting this up. The house will be ready in a week. We try to recover some furniture, paintings and other personal items from their own home, so that they can still feel a bit at home in Niefhout.”
Niefhout is located some distance from the Schorvoort district, where Gaston and Maria lived for 61 years. “They are well known in the neighborhood,” Willy realizes. “Everyone immediately stood up for them. We have been offered help from all sides and we are very grateful for that. Schorvoort’s neighbors have assured us that they will also make our parents feel at home in their new home. A neighbor who is active in Ziekenzorg has already promised that she will pop in every week for a chat.”
Willy’s parents do not yet really realize what awaits them. “Processing that shock will be the hardest part. But with all the help that has already been offered to them, this should certainly work.”
© bvdl
After the van was towed, it became clear that the house had been destroyed. — © Bart Van den Langenbergh
The damage inside is incalculable. — © RR
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