Amsterdam city council has launched an investigation after an American tourist died in a collision with a refuse truck on Monday.

The accident happened on the Passeerdersgracht, in the centre of the city, in a narrow spot on the canal where pedestrians have to wait on the steps of a hairdresser’s to let vehicles pass.

How exactly the 69-year-old woman ended up under the wheels of the van is unclear.  Locals told the Parool that the traffic situation on Passeerdersgracht is “chaotic” because of frequent road repairs, while others said it was “calm” because the obstacles force traffic to slow down.

The lorry was travelling against the one-way system when the accident happened, something police will be including in their investigation. One witness said he heard the lorry back up when it saw a car approach from the opposite direction just before the woman was knocked down.

According to the council, garbage trucks have an exemption which allows them to go against the traffic in some situations, such as when a road is closed off.