On Thursday, January 6, a news circulated on social media that a 17-year-old boy named Sam Hooftman from Overveen is missing. Sam never came home on the night of Wednesday after a party in Heemstede with his friends. The message of his disappearance was widely shared on social media, his mother and brother asked everyone to look out for Sam. According to his friends, Sam left the house on Leidsevaartweg near Heemstede-Aerdenhout station at around 00:40 on his way, but never arrived home. On Thursday, January 6, the day after he went missing, the police as well as his friends, loved ones, local residents and volunteers who joined the group via the social media appeal, searched for Sam.
On Friday 7 January a body was found by the police in the Leidsevaart. Then the heartbreaking news came out: unfortunately, it concerns the missing Sam. The investigation by the police showed that Sam had cycled along the Leidsevaart that night and fell into the water because of a fatal accident and drowned. Sam’s death caused a stir in the Netherlands, but especially in the area where he lived and where his body was found. A sea of flowers arose along the Leidsevaart where Sam had fallen into the water. A petition was also raised by someone who lives near the Leidsevaart, to place long fences along the Leidsevaart to make the road safer. This petition has now been signed more than 25,000 times.
Last Wednesday a memorial tour was held in memory of Sam. Hundreds of people walked along. As a platform, we wish the family, friends and everyone who loved Sam a lot of strength!
P.S. The petition is still active and can be signed by clicking on the following link: