[UPDATED] Vehicle ploughs into Wisconsin Christmas parade, killing 5, wounding 40

WASHINGTON – Five people were killed and 40 others wounded after a vehicle ploughed into a Christmas parade in the United States state of Wisconsin yesterday evening, police said.

Officials were still gathering information on the incident which occurred just after 4.30pm (2230 GMT), as spectators in the town of Waukesha, a Milwaukee suburb, watched the annual tradition.

“The Waukesha Christmas parade was taking place when a red SUV broke through the barricades, westbound, headed down Main Street,” police chief Dan Thompson told reporters.

“We can confirm that 5 people are deceased and 40 are injured. However, these numbers may change as we collect additional information,” the Waukesha Police Department said in a statement on their official Facebook page.

Police said that a “person of interest” was in custody and that officers had recovered the involved vehicle. There were no other threats, he said.

An officer had fired at the SUV in an attempt to stop the vehicle, authorities said.

A total of 11 adults and 12 children were taken to six area hospitals, fire chief Steven Howard told reporters.

Angelito Tenorio, who is running for Wisconsin state treasurer, was at the parade and told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he “saw an SUV cross over, put the pedal to the metal, and zoom full speed along the parade route”.

“And then we heard a loud bang, and deafening cries and screams from people struck by the vehicle,” he said.

According to bystanders and footage, the SUV sped into the parade behind a school marching band.

“All I heard was screaming and then people yelling out their children’s names. That’s all I heard,” another witness, Angela O’Boyle, whose apartment overlooked the parade, told CNN.

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers said he and his wife were “praying for Waukesha tonight and all the kids, families, and community members affected by this senseless act”.

“We are in contact with local partners as we await more information,” he added. – AFP, November 22, 2021