‘Ice cream truck’ ploughs into crowd of kids at competition with 29 injured
At least 29 children have been injured after a truck ploughed into a group at an ill-fated festival.
The incident occurred at a cultural event in the Suzak district of Kyrgyzstan today (Thursday, May 2). Local police say the truck, reportedly selling ice cream at the time, was parked on an area of higher ground but slid down into the crowd below, reports Kaktus Media.
Witnesses clim at least 29 children were injured. Of them, 18 were rushed to hospital and seven of those were taken to intensive care, three in serious condition. The remaining 11 received outpatient treatment.
Schoolchildren had been reading passages from the Epic of Manas, an epic Kyrgyz poem, when the incident happened.
Police are now investigating the incident and do not believe the crash was deliberate. A video too graphic to republish showed the truck rolling down the hill and ploughing into the gathered masses.
Commenting on the clip, one person wrote: “This is a nightmare, I’m just in shock.” Meanwhile another chimed in: “I feel sorry for the children.”
A third added: “It’s a nightmare, so sorry for the people who suffered,” while a fourth chimed in: “May God bless the children and let them all get well.”
Suzak is a village in Jalal-Abad Region of western Kyrgyzstan. The Epic of Manas tells the story of Manas and his descendents as they fight a swathe of enemies.
It is divided into three books with the first detailing Manas’ exploits, the second those of his son Semetei, and the third following his grandson Seitek.
This is a breaking news story and is being constantly updated. Please refresh the page regularly with the latest news, pictures and videos.
You can also get email updates on the day’s biggest stories straight to your inbox by signing up for our newsletters.
Get all the very best headlines, pictures, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you by following Daily Star every time you see our name.
Follow Daily Star on Android – CLICK HERE
Follow Daily Star on Apple – CLICK HERE
Follow Daily Star on Snapchat – CLICK HERE
You can also sign up for Twitter alerts for breaking news by following @starbreaksnews
and follow us @dailystar for all the latest updates.
Keep up-to-date with your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day by following us on Facebook at facebook.com/thedailystar .
