A vehicle is seen crashed along the Endymion parade route at Orleans and Carollton during Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana US, February 25, 2017. PHOTO: REUTERS
WASHINGTON: A suspected drunk driver plowed a pickup truck into a Mardi Gras parade on Saturday in New Orleans, leaving 28 people injured, including children, officials said.
"At this time it appears that it's a subject who was highly intoxicated, who struck a number of vehicles and then veered off hitting a whole bunch of innocent people," New Orleans Police Chief Michael Harrison said.
Seven of those injured declined to go to the hospital, an official at the press conference said.
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The age of the victims ranged from an approximately three- to four-year-old child who was in stable condition, to people in their 30s or 40s, he added.
People stand near the scene where a vehicle crashed along the Endymion parade route at Orleans and Carrollton during Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana US, February 25, 2017. PHOTO: REUTERSAccording to Harrison the vehicle driver is under investigation for drunk driving "and of course hitting all the people who were injured."
The driver ploughed into the crowd just before 7pm on Sunday as spectators watched the Krewe of Endymion parade, which is part of the city's famous Mardi Gras celebrations.
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New Orlean's 'Krewes' are the private organisations that lead parades and throw balls during the city's Carnival season.
"It's very hard to protect against somebody that's very intoxicated that runs through a crowd," Mayor Mitch Landrieu told reporters, adding that barricades had been put in place.
"People have to be responsible and they have to be thoughtful about what they do," he added.
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