Two dead after retiree drives into parade
A marksmanship festival, or Schützenfest, in the North Rhine-Westphalian city of Menden ended tragically on Sunday when a retiree rammed his car into a parade, killing two and injuring 37 others.
Some 100 people were taking part in the parade during the afternoon when the 79-year-old, who was following the marchers in his vehicle, suddenly veered to the left and drove into a group of people walking, police said. The driver then went on to collide with a police vehicle and a parked car. Fourteen of those hit by the man sustained severe injuries.
“We currently have no clue as to why this happened,” a police spokesperson said.
The elderly driver was treated by emergency workers and taken to a nearby hospital, though he was not severely injured. Authorities are not sure whether a driver error or possible health problem led to the accident.
A 40-year-old and 69-year-old who both belonged to the marksmanship club died in the accident.
“It looked like a battlefield,” the police spokesperson said, adding that some 150 rescuers and two police helicopters were on hand to help accident victims.
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Some 100 people were taking part in the parade during the afternoon when the 79-year-old, who was following the marchers in his vehicle, suddenly veered to the left and drove into a group of people walking, police said. The driver then went on to collide with a police vehicle and a parked car. Fourteen of those hit by the man sustained severe injuries.
“We currently have no clue as to why this happened,” a police spokesperson said.
The elderly driver was treated by emergency workers and taken to a nearby hospital, though he was not severely injured. Authorities are not sure whether a driver error or possible health problem led to the accident.
A 40-year-old and 69-year-old who both belonged to the marksmanship club died in the accident.
“It looked like a battlefield,” the police spokesperson said, adding that some 150 rescuers and two police helicopters were on hand to help accident victims.
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