Vidar in mourning after death of Fleur Arends during a ski trip

Student rowing association Vidar has instituted a period of mourning after the death of law student Fleur Arends (21). She died after a serious fall while skiing. She was on a ski trip to Val Thorens, France, with sixty other members of Vidar.

The accident happened on Sunday 2 February, on the first day of the ski trip. The ski group returned to the Netherlands on Tuesday morning. ‘There was a tense atmosphere,’ says Vidar president Nayomi Latulola, ‘this hangs like a dark cloud over all our members.’ The rowing association has therefore instituted a period of mourning. Association activities are cancelled, the bar is closed and Vidar sororities and fraternities have also been advised suspend their own activities.

‘We have set up a space where our members can reflect and mourn Fleur’s death. We have also contacted victim support, so that people who need it can get help,’ says Latulola. In addition, there will be a private commemoration at Vidar on Thursday 6 February, so that all sororities and fraternities can show their support for Arends’ sorority.

The death of Fleur Arends from Hilvarenbeek is the second major blow to the rowing association in a short period of time. In December 2023, Vidar member Floris Boel suddenly passed away after a cardiac arrest. Latulola: ‘It is incomprehensible that you have to say goodbye to a Vidar member twice in thirteen months. Those are big blows. It is a good thing that we at Vidar can support each other.’

Support from the university

The news has also hit the university hard. A memorial corner for Fleur Arends has been set up in the living room of the Montesquieu building. There will also be a small memorial meeting in the Living Room on Friday 7 February at 1 p.m. Vidar itself has not been forgotten either, Latulola is grateful for the support and warm responses that the board has received from the university in recent days.