A victim is helped after a car crashed into the crowd waiting for the visit of the royal family in Apeldoorn, April 30, 2009.((Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BRUSSELS, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Five people were killed and 12 others injured on Thursday when a Dutch man driving a car deliberately rammed into a crowd watching a royal parade in central Netherlands.

    The incident occurred just before noon in the city of Apeldoorn, where the Dutch royal family were celebrating the Queen's Day with the public. The man intended to hit the royal family but missed the target, Radio Netherlands quoted the Dutch public prosecutor's office as saying.

    As an open-topped coach carrying the royal family passed by, the car broke through safety barriers and hit the spectators before crashing into a monument. Five of the 12 people injured suffered serious injuries.

    The driver is a 38-year-old Dutch national, who is an unemployed security guard. The public prosecutor said the man told police he was trying to attack the royal family.

    The Dutch authorities have charged him with attempting to attack the royal family, a crime punishable with a maximum jail sentence of 30 years.

    The public prosecutor has ruled out terrorism.

A car plows into a parade that included Queen Beatrix and the royal family on the national Queen's Day holiday in the Dutch city of Apeldoorn April 30, 2009.(Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    The car missed the royal coach by 15 meters. The driver was injured when the car crashed into a monument. He is in hospital and his condition is said to be critical.

    Dutch Queen Beatrix and other members of the royal family watched in horror as the car ploughed through the spectators. In a televised address later, the queen offered sympathy to the victims and their relatives.

    Flags were lowered to half-mast at royal palace and all government buildings. Dutch Prime Minister Balkenende expressed "deep shock at the horrible event" and traveled to Apeldoorn.

    European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso expressed his shock at the news and extended condolences on behalf of the commission to the families of the victims.

    The tragic incident dampened the festive spirits and most Queen's Day celebrations across the Netherlands were canceled, including those in Rotterdam, Utrecht and Apeldoorn.

    In the capital Amsterdam, where some 600,000 people were partying, festivities went on but were toned down.

    Queen's Day is a Dutch national holiday which celebrates the birthday of the late Dutch Queen Juliana, mother of Queen Beatrix. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of the late queen mother.

    Queen's Day is known for its free market all over the Netherlands, where everybody is allowed to sell things in the streets. The whole country is in a jolly, festive mood and all kinds of activities are held in cities and towns, including children's games, music concerts and parties.