Dozens injured as car ploughs into New Orleans parade crowd
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A young child was among at least 28 people who were injured when a vehicle ploughed into a crowd watching a parade in New Orleans.
Police Chief Michael Harrison said the male driver was being investigated for driving while intoxicated.
He did not rule out terrorism but said the early signs appeared to rule it out.
The accident at the Krewe of Endymion parade in the Mid-City section of New Orleans, came during one of the busiest nights of Mardi Gras when thousands of people throng the streets of Mid-City to watch the elaborate floats and clamor to catch beads and trinkets tossed from riders.
Emergency Services Director, Dr Jeff Elder said 21 people were taken to hopsital, with five victims in guarded condition. Another seven declined to be hospitalised.
The victims range in age from as young as three or four-years-old to adults in their 30s and 40s, said Dr Elder.
Among the injured was one New Orleans police officer. Harrison said the officer, who was on duty, was undergoing tests to determine the extent of her injuries. She was in "good spirits," he said.
As police and city officials assessed the accident scene, people streamed home as plastic bags that used to hold trinkets and discarded beads littered the ground.
One woman at the scene told The New Orleans Advocate that a silver truck whisked by her just feet away as she was walking through the intersection.
Carrie Kinsella said, "I felt a rush it was so fast."
Twenty-year-old Kourtney McKinnis told the Advocate that the driver of the truck seemed almost unaware of what he had just done.
"He was just kind of out of it," she said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments