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Six hurt as car hits crowd in Newcastle Eid celebration | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Six people, including three children, were injured when a car mounted a kerb and ploughed into a crowd of people outside a sports centre in Newcastle. | Six people, including three children, were injured when a car mounted a kerb and ploughed into a crowd of people outside a sports centre in Newcastle. |
It happened outside Westgate Sports Centre where an event was taking place to celebrate the end of Ramadan. | |
One of the children is said to have been critically injured. Northumbria Police said the incident was not believed to be terrorism-related. | One of the children is said to have been critically injured. Northumbria Police said the incident was not believed to be terrorism-related. |
A 42-year-old woman was arrested and is in custody, police said. | A 42-year-old woman was arrested and is in custody, police said. |
No-one else was being sought. Extra patrols were in the area to reassure communities, police said. | |
Hundreds of people were at the event to mark the end of Ramadan. | Hundreds of people were at the event to mark the end of Ramadan. |
One eyewitness said: "From what I understand, [a woman who had been at prayer] was about to leave in her car and I believe she lost control. | One eyewitness said: "From what I understand, [a woman who had been at prayer] was about to leave in her car and I believe she lost control. |
"I ran up straight away because everyone was moving in on all the injured, trying to put water in their mouths. | "I ran up straight away because everyone was moving in on all the injured, trying to put water in their mouths. |
"The parents of the kids were there. I had to sort of try and calm them down just to tell them the ambulance is there and they will take care of it; they know what they're doing." | |
'Terrible accident' | |
A North East Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We have taken six people to hospital; they have gone to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle; three children and three adults." | |
Emergency services included six ambulances, two paramedic rapid response vehicles and the air ambulance. | Emergency services included six ambulances, two paramedic rapid response vehicles and the air ambulance. |
In a statement, the nearby Newcastle Central Mosque said: "Immediately after the Eid prayers, when the people were starting to leave the venue, a car collided with pedestrians. | |
"We pray and hope that all those affected recover soon fully. | |
"We thank the emergency medical services, the police and over 100 volunteers from the mosque for their quick response to the incident. | |
"We urge everyone to please pray for all those affected." | |
Chi Onwurah, Labour MP for Newcastle Central, tweeted: "So sad, I was at the prayers earlier & there were so much joy & unity. Thinking of those affected by what I am told was terrible accident." | Chi Onwurah, Labour MP for Newcastle Central, tweeted: "So sad, I was at the prayers earlier & there were so much joy & unity. Thinking of those affected by what I am told was terrible accident." |
'Everyone locked arms' - medical student Ahmad Ali | 'Everyone locked arms' - medical student Ahmad Ali |
We were here for Eid. Everyone had just finished praying. The imam had finished his speech and everyone was talking to their families and getting some food. | |
Then we heard a commotion and screaming. | |
I ran up to the hill. A man got out of the passenger side. He seemed distraught. | |
Someone was trapped under the car and then everyone just pushed the car so they were free. | |
They were two children there, one of them - he was a boy about eight - was really badly injured, | |
There were about five doctors there so he had a lot of medical attention. We checked to see he had a pulse. | |
Everyone locked arms so there was a ring of locked arms around the injured people so they had space and the ambulances could get to them. | |
Everyone was distraught. I am very grateful it's not an attack. | |
It's very shocking to see a child injured like that. We are all hoping that he is fine, I just want to hear that. | |
BBC reporter Rachel Kerr at the scene | |
The helicopter hovering above the scene made it clear that this was a serious incident. | |
Police cars had stopped traffic on West Road and there were groups of people looking on - including those who had been at the Eid celebration and others who were coming to play football on the sports pitches. | |
Hundreds of people had been taking part in the Eid event on the large grass field behind the sports centre. | |
Police tape surrounded the scene where the car remained on a small hill at the top of the field. On the field itself were the signs of the Eid celebration. | |
In the immediate aftermath there was shock and confusion about what had happened, with many urging calm and for people to wait to hear the facts. | |
There was also a sadness that this had happened during such an important religious celebration. | |
Abdul Mahdoul, who was at the event, said: "We were wishing everyone happy Eid and suddenly we heard a lot of shouting and screaming. We didn't know what it was. | |
"People were panicking. The police did a great job to calm the situation down. | |
"I just wish for the people to recover very quickly. | |
"We were worried because we were standing on that spot and we moved from there and then about 15 minutes later things happened." | |
"It was a very happy atmosphere beforehand, but afterwards just chaos." | |
Councillor Dipu Ahad said: "I hope there are no fatalities and my thoughts are with their families and other members who have been affected. | |
"We saw people crying and sobbing, it was like what you see in a horror movie, people were crying on the street, in corners. | |
"It was a real sad situation to see this and I think people were in confusion about what really happened. | |
"I had tears in my own eyes - it was a day of celebration for Muslims and others as well and it's a very sad situation and I hope this never happens again." | |
'Heard screaming' - Dr Afsar Madathil | 'Heard screaming' - Dr Afsar Madathil |
I was at a car park when I heard screaming so I ran towards the community college just a couple of minutes from me. | |
When I went over I saw that there was a very young teenager covered in blood; another very young teenager also looked injured. | |
There was a middle-aged man outside the community college with facial injuries and blood all over his face. | |
The police were already at the scene. I had seen them earlier as they were there watching the prayers. | |
The police put the driver of the car in the back of the police van. | |
When I spoke to people at the scene that had seen what happened they said that she was exiting a car park and suddenly accelerated into a crowd of people. | |
I was with a few other doctors that came to help, but the police and paramedics were very quick and did not need our help. | |
The mayor of Newcastle was also there earlier for Eid celebrations. |