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Four killed in US drag car crash Four killed in US drag car crash
(about 2 hours later)
Four people have died and 15 been injured after a drag racing car spun out of control and hit a crowd of spectators in Tennessee, officials say.Four people have died and 15 been injured after a drag racing car spun out of control and hit a crowd of spectators in Tennessee, officials say.
The accident happened at the Cars for Kids charity event in Selmer, 130 km (80 miles) east of Memphis.The accident happened at the Cars for Kids charity event in Selmer, 130 km (80 miles) east of Memphis.
A witness, Scott Henley, told the Associated Press that the vehicle's tyres burnt off, causing it to lurch into a pole, then spin into the crowd. A witness, Scott Henley, told the Associated Press that, after burning off its tyres, the vehicle swerved into a pole and then spun into the crowd.
"Bodies were flying into the air," Selmer Police Chief Neal Burks said."Bodies were flying into the air," Selmer Police Chief Neal Burks said.
Those killed were all adults, the authorities reported. Those killed were all adults, the authorities reported. At least eight of the injured have been taken to hospital in the surrounding area.
The festival, which was expected to be attended by up to 60,000 over the weekend, was shut down following the accident. The race team is in shock and deeply saddened by this unexpected event AMS Pro Modified Series
The Cars for Kids charity raises money for handicapped children through a series of national car races and pageants. The festival, which was expected to be attended by up to 60,000 people over the weekend, was shut down following the accident.
The AMS Pro Modified Series, which sanctions drag races, issued a statement saying the driver of the car had been a veteran of more than 20-years drag racing and that he had been taken to hospital after the accident.
The series said the driver had been performing an "exhibition burnout" - spinning the tires to make them heat up and smoke - when road conditions caused the car to lose control.
"The race team is in shock and deeply saddened by this unexpected event," it added.
"Their hearts and prayers are with the injured people and their families."
The Cars for Kids charity raises money for children with disabilities through a series of national car races and pageants.