We did not know at that time that the victim is a well-known figure in the city of Five Bell Towers, in particular as a musician but also for having been active in citizen groups.
Clarinetist and bassist, he was immersed in music since childhood
Originally from Péronnes where his family still lives, Kevin Himpens (born July 16, 1992) belonged, since his childhood, to the large family of musicians of the Royal Harmony La Concorde de Péronnes led by Benoit Chantry.
Originally a clarinetist, he also discovered a passion – and a real talent – for the guitar a few years ago; he played as a bassist in several groups in the region, including “Combo” which brings together young people from the conservatory who are keen on jazz. We also saw him alongside the members of a more rocky group, The Sparkling band.
Kevin was also active within the group which defended the Tournaisian citizen’s currency, the Yar, of which he was one of the linchpins and the spokesperson. He had also worked for the non-profit organization Reading and Writing in Picardy Wallonia as a literacy trainer.
A tragic accident following the breakage of a railing
Few details have been released on the precise circumstances of the fall suffered by Kevin on Sunday, this information having been largely obscured by the deplorable circumstances in which the paramedics intervened.
Kevin was celebrating New Year’s Eve with several friends in an apartment on the third floor of a building on rue Volders in Saint-Gilles. Around midnight, party attendees headed out to the balcony to see the fireworks.
In small groups, it seems, because the space was quite cramped. Kevin’s fall would be the result of part of the railing breaking.
Be that as it may, as confirmed to us by the Brussels public prosecutor’s office, an investigation is still underway to determine the exact circumstances of the facts.
The rescuers were unfortunately unable to do anything to bring him back to life despite an intervention which, according to some witnesses, would have lasted a good forty minutes before they were subjected to the acts of violence mentioned above.
To Kevin’s family and his many friends, our newspaper offers its heartfelt condolences.