Sixteen people were injured, five critically, after a vehicle struck parade participants at the Louisiana Lao New Year celebration in New Iberia.
A vehicle has crashed into a parade in the United States, leaving 16 people injured.
According to local news outlet WBRZ2, 16 people were hurt – five of them critically – after a car struck parade participants in New Iberia, Louisiana.
Acadian Ambulance confirmed that ten ambulances and two air ambulances were deployed to the scene of the devastating incident, reports the Mirror.
Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Department has launched an investigation after the vehicle ploughed into a crowd attending a festival in New Iberia.
The gathering had assembled for a parade near Captain Cade and Melancon Road in the town of approximately 30,000 residents.
KPEL reported that the event was the Louisiana Lao New Year celebration in Iberia Parish.
Two casualties were airlifted to hospital, while a further 11 patients were taken by road ambulance to nearby medical facilities in the aftermath.
Footage and photographs circulating on social media captured the chaotic scenes that followed, showing emergency responders attempting to manage visibly distressed crowds at the event.
The Louisiana Lao New Year Festival is a well-established cultural event held annually in Iberia Parish. The three-day celebration, which got under way on Friday, honours Lao traditions, food, music, and community heritage.
It remains unclear what caused the collision or whether it was deliberate, and local authorities are yet to release information regarding the driver or any potential charges.
The full extent of the victims’ injuries is still being assessed as emergency crews continue to work at the scene.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login