Five dead and more than 40 injured after SUV ploughs into parade in US

Five people are dead and more than 40 injured after an SUV drove into adults and children participating in a Christmas parade in Wisconsin, USA.

Waukesha Police chief Dan Thompson said an investigation was ongoing but a suspect vehicle had been recovered and person of interest was in custody.

Authorities in the Milwaukee suburb of Waukesha confirmed the deaths in a statement on Sunday.

Police said the numbers could change as many people travelled to hospitals themselves.

Chief Thomson said that as the car broke through barricades, a police officer fired his gun in an attempt to stop the SUV.

The city’s fire service chief Steven Howard said 12 children were among those injured.

A live feed of the parade from the city of Waukesha showed a red SUV breaking through barriers and speeding into the road where the parade was taking place.

Videos taken by parade attendees and locals show the vehicle speeding into those taking part after narrowly missing a young child dancing in the street.

The horrific violence at the Waukesha Christmas Parade is just heartbreaking.

Please keep the victims in your prayers tonight.
— Sen. Tammy Baldwin (@SenatorBaldwin) November 22, 2021

Wisconsin senator Tammy Baldwin asked people to “keep victims in your prayers tonight”.

Catholic priests, as well as multiple parishioners and Waukesha Catholic school children were among those injured, a spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee said.

Sandra Peterson, communication director, said: “Our prayers are with the people who have been injured and killed during the tragic incident in Waukesha.

“Please join us in prayer for all those involved, their families, and those who are traumatized from witnessing the horrible scene.”

A spokesperson for the Waukesha Police Department said: “At this time, we can confirm that five people are deceased and over 40 are injured. However, these numbers may change as we collect additional information. Many people have self-transported to area hospitals.

“The Police Department has the person of interest in custody.”

They added: “”Many people witnessed traumatic events this evening. If you need to talk with someone, please call 211.

“The scene is still fluid, and the investigation is ongoing. The community mourns the loss of our community members and those injured. We are asking for the community to come together during this time and to keep the families in your prayers.”