Canada crash: Car drives into crowd in Vancouver, killing ‘number of people’

A 30-year-old Vancouver man has been arrested after a car drove into a large crowd in the Canadian city of Vancouver, killing several people, local police have said.

Vancouver Police said a driver was in custody with “multiple others” injured during the incident at a street festival on Saturday evening.

It is unknown how many people had been killed.

In a post on social media, Vancouver police said “a driver drove into a crowd at a street festival at E. 41st Avenue and Fraser” shortly after 8pm local time on Saturday (11am AWST Sunday).

“A suspect has been arrested by Vancouver Police after several people were killed and multiple others injured at a neighbourhood street party in South Vancouver earlier tonight,” the post read.

“A 30-year-old suspect, a Vancouver man, was arrested at the scene. The investigation is ongoing and is being led the Vancouver Police Department’s Major Crime Section.

A group of pedestrians were reportedly hit by the car during the annual Lapu Lapu festival, a celebration of Filipino culture.

“I am shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific incident at today’s Lapu Lapu Day event,” Vancouver’s Mayor Ken Sim said.

British Columbia Premier David Eby said he was “shocked and heartbroken” to hear of the lives lost and those injured.

“Police are investigating and a suspect is in custody,” he said in a post on social media.

“We are in contact with the City of Vancouver and will provide any support needed. My thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones.”

Video posted on social media showed victims and debris strewn across a long stretch of road, with at least seven people lying immobile on the ground.

A black SUV with a crumpled front section could be seen in still photos from the scene.