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Woman who crashed car into crowd of Muslims on video saying: 'I tried to brake'

Four people remain in hospital where they were being treated for 'various injuries'

Samuel Osborne
Monday 26 June 2017 08:46 EDT
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Car ploughs into people in Newcastle

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A female driver who crashed her car into a crowd of Muslims leaving Eid prayers in Newcastle has been filmed saying she "tried to brake".

The woman, who was arrested after crashing her car following Eid celebrations with her family, has been released on bail.

Six people, including three children, were taken to hospital following the accident in Newcastle on Sunday morning.

Police said the collision is not thought to be terror-related.

Footage shows the woman being comforted by police as angry worshippers accuse her of running people over.

She can be heard sobbing and shouting: "I tried to brake."

Dramatic footage from the scene showed members of the public running towards the scene of the crash amid the sound of shouts and screams.

Northumbria Police said four people remained in hospital on Monday where they were being treated for "various injuries".

"Police inquiries continue as we try to establish the circumstances around the collision at Westgate Sports Centre on Sunday June 25," the force said.

"The 42-year-old local woman arrested by police has now been released on conditional bail pending further investigation.

"Of the six people injured during the incident, four remain in hospital receiving treatment for various injuries."

Yesterday, Assistant Chief Constable Darren Best said: "At approximately 9.14am we received reports that a car had collided with pedestrians outside of Westgate Sports Centre, in Newcastle city centre. At that time a large number of people were in the area celebrating the religious festival Eid that is held to mark the end of Ramadan.

"What we have established is that a 42-year-old female has been celebrating Eid with her family, she then got into her car and has collided with six people in the crowd. We have no information to suggest this is terror-related, however, this is a serious collision with multiple casualties and extensive inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances around this tragic incident."

Mr Best said extra officers are on patrol around communities in the area to answer any questions or concerns. Specially trained family liaison officers are working with the affected families.

A statement from the nearby Newcastle Central Mosque said the collision happened as people were leaving the area following Eid prayers.

Chi Onwurah, Labour MP for Newcastle Central, tweeted about the incident after attending the mosque.

She wrote: "So sad, I was at the prayers earlier and there were so much joy and unity. Thinking of those affected by what I am told was terrible accident."

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