Moroccan Teen Killed in Train-Scooter Collision in Netherlands, Community Mourns

According to the information reported by HBVL, Tarik was a passenger. The scooter driver, also 17 years old, was seriously injured in the accident. Emergency services were quickly dispatched to the scene, but unfortunately they were unable to save the young man’s life.

Tarik leaves behind a family devastated by the loss of this "joyful, helpful and happy" boy, in the words of his aunt Rachida. Tarik’s family had lived in Maastricht for many years, and the young man had forged strong ties in this city that he loved so much. He had in particular joined a football club, where he enjoyed playing with his friends.

Today, the pain is immense for his family, who have just returned from Fez, Morocco, where Tarik was buried. His father, Driss, testifies to his immense grief: "We couldn’t say goodbye to him. We weren’t even allowed to touch his hand." For Tarik’s loved ones, his premature disappearance is all the more difficult to accept as he still had his whole life ahead of him and great future plans. "He dreamed of becoming an engineer," recalls his father, who can’t help but think about what his son could have accomplished if he had had the chance to live longer.