Grandmother shields grandchildren with her body during Vancouver festival crash

At least 11 people died and several more were injured when a man drove into a crowd at a street party in Canada.

‘It is the darkest day in Vancouver’s history’, interim police chief Steve Rai said after a driver hit partygoers at a street festival in Canada’s third largest city.

People had flocked to the Lapu Lapu Festival, a Filipino community party, when the vehicle entered the street shortly after 8pm on Saturday, the police said on social media.

Carayn Nulada used her own body to shield her grandchildren when the black SUV, which knocked down her brother, breaking multiple bones. Her daughter narrowly escaped.

‘The car hit her arm and she fell down, but she got up, looking for us because she is scared’, Ms Nulada said outside Vancouver General Hospital while awaiting news of her brother.

‘I saw people running and my daughter was shaking.’

A 30-year-old ‘lone male’ previously ‘known to police in certain circumstances’ has been arrested. It is not being treated as terrorism.

Local business owner James Cruzat thought it was a gunshot when he head ‘a loud noise, like a loud bang’.

Then he ‘saw people on the road crying’. He said: ‘Others were like running, shouting, or even screaming, asking for help.

‘We tried to go there just to check what was really actually happening until we found some bodies on the ground. Others were lifeless, others injured.

‘It was terrible to see that kind of incident, that situation. It was heartbreaking.

‘I couldn’t even imagine that it’s actually happening in real life, because normally we see that on TVs or movies.

‘But when you are in that kind situation, it was really shocking. Like, you couldn’t think really, really well. You couldn’t do anything but to pray for them.’

The annual Lapu Lapu celebration had a horrific ending when a vehicle, thought to be the black SUV, rammed into the crowd (Picture: Facebook)

The exact number of casualties has not been confirmed yet.

The death toll rose to 11 at around 5.30pm UK time, Canadian police said, adding they expect ‘more could die in the coming days or weeks’.

The driver, thought to be a 30-year-old man from Vancouver, has been taken into custody after initially being apprehended by members of the public. Further details on his identity have not been revealed.

Police say they have ruled out terrorism as a motive, adding the suspect has a history of mental health issues.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said: ‘An investigation is ongoing to determine how and why this horrific attack occurred. Authorities have confirmed one person is custody and it is believed they acted alone.

‘Last night families lost a sister, a brother, a mother, father, son or a daughter. Those families are living every family’s nightmare.

‘And to them and to the many others who were injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver, I would like to offer my deepest condolences.’

One witness can be heard screaming ‘oh my God’ in a video showing the aftermath of the crash, with another person shouting ‘there’s a baby over there! There’s a baby under the truck.’

Vancouver Police Department said: ‘A number of people have been killed and multiple others are injured after a driver drove into a crowd.’

Shocking footage on social media shows at least seven victims lying on a stretch of road with debris scattered around.

Floral tributes have been left at the scene (Picture: AP)

Some of the people are not moving and appear to be bloodied.

A black SUV with a damaged front can also be seen at the scene.

Tributes are pouring in as news of the crash emerged.

King Charles said in a statement posted on X: ‘Both my wife and I were profoundly saddened to lear of the dreadful attack and utterly tragic loss of life in Vancouver, which took place as the Filipino community came together to mark the celebration of one of their most special festivals.’

Emergency services at the scene at the Lapu Lapu Festival in Vancouver (Picture: Canadian Press/Shutterstock)

The mayor of Vancouver wrote on X: ‘I am shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific incident at today’s Lapu Lapu Day event. We will work to provide more information as soon as we can.’

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney wrote on X this morning: ‘I am devastated to hear about the horrific events at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver earlier this evening.

‘I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver.

‘We are all mourning with you. We are monitoring the situation closely, and thankful to our first responders for their swift action.’