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Driver arrested after three-car crash on A16 near Zwijndrecht

Police arrested one person on suspicion of drink or drug driving after a crash on the A16 near Zwijndrecht. Salvage work was expected to last until about 09:30.

A16, Zwijndrecht · Map: Kadaster

A car ended up on its side on the A16 towards Rotterdam, just before the Zwijndrecht exit, around 08:15 on Tuesday morning. Three cars were involved and nobody was injured. An ambulance was called.

Police said they arrested one person on suspicion of driving under the influence. The driver tested positive for drugs.

Rijkswaterstaat, the national roads agency, had expected the salvage work to last until about 09:30.

Three lanes were closed after the crash. Delays between Knooppunt Zonzeel and Zwijndrecht rose to more than an hour. The road has since reopened.

Traffic was also heavy elsewhere. On the A29 between Numansdorp and Knooppunt Vaanplein, a 12km jam caused a 30-minute delay. Roadworks on the A15 had closed an exit there.

In Zwijndrecht, a 40-minute jam built up on the Karel Doormanstraat, partly because of the A16 crash and partly because of local roadworks.

How many prohibited substances the driver had in his blood, and whether that was punishable, remains to be determined.