Hail and fire: incidents at campsites in the Netherlands and Belgium

A motorhome stuck on a wooden boardwalk in the Grolloërveen nature reserve (Netherlands) has prompted around 80 tips from the public. Rescuers have devised a plan to use track mats and a winch for recovery, avoiding heavy machinery to protect the fragile ecosystem.

A motorhome that sank through a wooden walkway (vlonderpad) last week in the Grolloërveen nature reserve in the province of Drenthe will remain there for now. A safe removal method has not yet been found. The incident occurred Thursday evening when the driver took a wrong turn onto the walkway, designed only for hikers and cyclists. The wooden planks broke under the vehicle's weight. According to the forester, the campers were fined for driving on a prohibited path. The location complicates recovery: the reserve is a fragile protected peatland area, and heavy equipment cannot enter without precautions.

A car driver was killed in a collision with a camper on the N348 highway between Raalte and Lemelerveld. The accident occurred around 4:45 PM. Multiple ambulances, fire trucks, and a trauma helicopter responded. The victim was trapped in the vehicle for some time; resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful. The camper driver was taken to hospital with unknown injuries. A dog in the camper was unharmed. Police are investigating the cause.

Tom from the Netherlands lost the reduced road tax rate for his 1986 Volkswagen LT-31 converted into a camper because the Dutch tax authority (Belastingdienst) delayed sending invoices. Due to a new system implementation at the end of 2025, about 400 vehicle owners did not receive timely notifications to pay a quarter of the standard rate (around €120 per year). Tom received neither a letter nor a reminder call, while his friends were called. As a result, the tax authority charged him the full rate, and he now faces higher bills, including a recent €331 assessment. Tom filed an objection in February 2026, but the tax authority missed its response deadline (by May 26), citing workload. The authority refuses to reinstate the reduced rate, stating that the obligation to pay lies with the owner even if the invoice is not received.

Frieda Vuur, who lives in her camper van, regularly stays overnight on private driveways through the Welkom op mijn Oprit (WOMO) group. The group has 22,000 members and about 400 available spots across Europe, including Canada and Ecuador. Founder Lieke Kooyman says the concept helps motorhome travelers find free and safe parking, while hosts enjoy meeting new people.

The new Papillon camper site in Zaandam, Netherlands, is already receiving guests, though official reservations were set to begin July 1. Seven campers were spotted early morning at the Willem Prinsplein location. The site features 56 pitches, charging stations, a sanitation station, and toilet facilities. Overnight stay costs €32.50 for a camper up to 10 meters. Construction costs rose from €475,000 to €612,000 due to traffic adjustments and additional work.