Two killed including boy, 6, as truck ploughs into youth soccer game in Wichita
A 34-year-old mother drove a pickup truck onto a youth soccer field in Wichita, Kansas, killing two people and injuring eleven. The driver has been released pending toxicology and mechanical testing.
Two dead and eleven injured after truck drives onto soccer field in Wichita, Kansas
A 34-year-old woman drove a Chevrolet pickup truck onto a youth soccer field in Wichita, Kansas, on Saturday afternoon, killing two people and injuring eleven others, police have said. According to abcnews.com, first responders received multiple 911 calls at around 3:25 p.m. CT and rushed to Stryker Soccer Complex.
The two people killed were pronounced dead at the scene. Police identified them on Sunday as Cole Adrian, 6, and Nicholas Schafer, 35, both residents of McPherson, Kansas.
Among the eleven people sent to hospital were five children aged between 5 and 9, and five adults ranging from 28 to 68 years old. Injuries varied from bruises to what police described as "extremely severe injuries." A 61-year-old woman was also hospitalised after experiencing medical complications unrelated to traumatic injuries caused by the truck.
The driver, identified only as a woman from Garden City, Kansas, remained at the scene after the incident. As of Sunday afternoon, no charges had been filed. She was released from custody pending the results of toxicology testing and a mechanical examination of the vehicle.
"She has been cooperative to this point in the investigation," said Capt. Aaron Moses of the Wichita Police Department at a press conference on Saturday evening.
Police said one of the driver's children was playing soccer at the complex at the time, but was not on the field where the incident occurred. Two juveniles who were inside the pickup truck at the time of the crash were among the more than 30 witnesses interviewed by investigators. Police have also asked anyone with photographs or video footage of the incident to share them with investigators.
When officers arrived, the truck was found at the west end of the field, and bystanders were already rendering aid to those injured. Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan praised those present, saying they "sprang into action so quickly and gave life-saving assistance until the arrival of first responders," adding: "It was truly amazing, but I think it's indicative of the Wichita community."
Sullivan confirmed police are still working to establish the cause of the incident. "We know what happened, but now we're working very hard to find out why it happened, and we're not there yet," he told reporters.
Sullivan said in a statement that the victims' families "face an unimaginable loss," describing what should have been "a day of children playing soccer and families spending time together" ending in tragedy.
Wichita Mayor Lily Wu addressed the public on Saturday evening. "Today is a heartbreaking day for Wichita," she said. "Families came to Stryker Sports Complex to enjoy a Saturday afternoon watching their children play soccer. No one could have imagined the tragedy that would unfold." She added: "Tonight, Wichita grieves together."
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly said in a statement she was monitoring the situation and had been in contact with the mayor. "My condolences go out to the families of the victims, the survivors, and all those impacted by this event," Kelly said.
The city of Wichita announced via Facebook that all events at the Stryker Soccer Complex had been cancelled until further notice. The complex itself issued a statement saying: "Our hearts are heavy as we process the tragic events at Stryker today. We are holding everyone impacted, the injured, their families, and all those who witnessed this heartbreaking event close in our thoughts and prayers."
Police stressed the investigation remains ongoing and asked for public patience as they work to determine the full circumstances of the incident.
Source: The Sun