Dutch PM Mark Rutte gives aid at road crash

DUTCH prime minister Mark Rutte held the hand of a woman who lay dying after being hit by a truck while cycling, and gave a statement as a witness, a government spokesman said yesterday.

Cycling is the most popular mode of transport in the Netherlands. Fewer than 200 cyclists are killed in traffic accidents each year in the country.

Mr Rutte was passing in his car when the collision took place in The Hague yesterday afternoon, spokesman Stephan Schrover said.

He said: “Someone else administered first aid, while the prime minister held her hand and talked to her.”