Bystanders assisted the child who escaped in getting back to safety on dry land.

Mayor Dirk De fauw noted that the car drove through a barrier at the canal's edge, and the accident occurred near a fire station, which allowed for a quick response from fire service divers.

The circumstances of how the car entered the water remain unclear, prompting further investigation.

The tragic incident highlights the need for increased safety measures around drawbridges and waterways.

The vehicle was carrying a grandfather and his two grandchildren, aged 10 and another boy, resulting in critical injuries to the grandfather and one grandchild, while the other child managed to escape.

Local authorities confirmed that no other vehicles were involved in the incident, and the Bruges prosecutor's office decided against appointing a traffic expert for the investigation.

In response to the accident, Bruges Police advised the public to avoid the area, closing the Komvest road from Avenue Léopold I, although the city's ring road remains open.

Witnesses reported that the drawbridge was open with the barriers down at the time of the accident, indicating that the driver did not stop as required before entering the canal.

Emergency services were alerted around 1:40 PM, confirming the gravity of the situation as they arrived at the scene near the Warandebrug.

Both the grandfather and the second child were taken to the hospital in critical condition.

Access to the Warande Bridge has been restricted, and a security perimeter has been established to keep the public away from the area.

A serious accident occurred on April 18, 2025, in Bruges when a car with three occupants veered off the road and fell into the Ringvaart canal.