Jan Van Welden turned 66 — © IF
Markedal/Thailand –
Jan Van Welden (66) died in an accident in Thailand on Saturday. The man leaves behind three children. It is the second time that disaster has struck the family. In December, the children’s mother, his ex-wife, died in the Christmas tree accident in Oudenaarde.
The Van Welden family from Maarkedal was struck by fate again. After their mother Marleen Vanderkimpen died on December 21 under the Christmas tree in Oudenaarde, her ex-husband and the father of her children were hit by a truck near Ubon Ratchathni, Thailand on Saturday. He rode his motorcycle and died instantly. “We don’t know the exact circumstances yet,” the family said. “That still needs to be sorted out. We only heard that he was hit by a car. We do not wish to comment further.”
Music
Jan Van Welden had lived in Thailand for many years, he married there in 2011. He was a great motorcycle enthusiast and an experienced motorcyclist. Music also played a major role in his life. He divided time between Thailand and Maarkedal. The intention was to return to his beloved Flemish Ardennes within a few weeks and then live here for a few months with his children and grandchildren.
The family loses their mother and father in just a few months. On December 21, the large Christmas tree on the Grote Markt in Oudenaarde was broken down. The Christmas market was open and the tree fell on three women who were having a drink at a chalet. Two of them were quickly freed and were injured, but Marleen Vanderkimpen was seriously injured and died in the hospital the same evening. According to experts, the tree should never have been on the Grote Markt, the family filed a complaint at the end of February for accidental assault and battery resulting in death.”
Jan Van Welden leaves behind three children and four grandchildren.