July 4th celebrations turn tragic as driver ploughs truck into crowd in New York park

A driver ploughed into a crowd celebrating the July 4th holiday at a New York City park on Thursday, officials said. The tragic incident killed three people and injured several others. The person who was driving a pickup truck is reported to be drunk at the time of the incident. However, tests are being conducted and it is not confirmed yet. The park where the incident occurred is located on Manhattan’s Lower East Side next to the East River.

Many families were present at the scene “celebrating on a beautiful Fourth of July evening,” New York Police Chief of Department Jeff Maddrey said at a news conference.

The pickup truck, a Ford F-150, was being driven on Water Street “at a high rate of speed” and ran through an intersection, went up on the sidewalk and struck the crowd at Corlears Hook Park in Manhattan around 8:55 pm, police said. Officials said that the incident injured seven others. The condition of two of them is said to be critical. 

Terming the incident a tragedy, Mayor Eric Adams pointed out how families were enjoying themselves and barbecuing that evening. 

“It appears as though at this time, based on preliminary investigation, that the driver was under the influence,” Adams said. “This is extremely early. We’re going to conduct a thorough investigation.”

First responders “encountered a pickup truck on top of four victims,” Fire Department Assistant Chief Operations Michael Meyers said.

Maddrey said that people were quick to respond and “grabbed the driver, removed the driver and made sure the driver didn’t leave until first responders made it to the scene.”

The driver has not been identified.