SPRINGFIELD (Illinois, US), April 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Four people aged four to 18 were killed when a vehicle ploughed into a building housing an after-school camp in the US state of Illinois, police said, adding they were investigating the crash.
Several others were injured and transported to hospital, Illinois State Police said in a statement, while the driver of the vehicle was uninjured and taken to hospital for evaluation.
“At this time, we can confirm four fatalities believed to be between the ages of 4-18 years. Three individuals were struck outside the building and one inside,” the statement read.
“Several additional individuals have been transferred to local area hospitals by ambulance and one by a life flight helicopter.”
The car left a road, crossed a field and smashed into the side of the building, Illinois State Police said in a statement. It traveled through the building, striking numerous people before exiting the other side.
The driver, a 44-year-old woman, who was not injured, was taken to a hospital for evaluation and police said toxicology reports were pending. State police declined to offer further details about the driver, saying the crash remains under investigation.
“This does not appear to be a targeted attack,” state police said in a statement.
Police responded to the crash in Chatham, a small town around 16km south of state capital Springfield, at around 3.20pm on Monday.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker shared a statement on X saying he was “horrified and deeply saddened” by the incident.
“Parents said goodbye to their kids this morning not knowing it would be the last time. My heart is heavy for these families and the unimaginable grief they’re experiencing – something that no parent should have to endure,” he wrote.
The after-school centre, YNOT After School Camp, says on its website that it specialises in providing outdoor activities for children. — NNN-AGENCIES
