Four people were left injured when a van ‘deliberately’ ploughed into a queue of pedestrians outside a food bank as police arrest man, 37, on suspicion of assault
- Emergency services were scrambled to Kirk Hallam Community Hall, Derbyshire
- The casualties have been rushed to hospital but injuries are not life threatening
- Police said they are ‘working on the theory’ the crash was done on purpose
- The man was arrested for assault occasioning grievous bodily harm with intent
A 37-year-old man has been arrested for assault after a white van ‘deliberately’ rammed into a cluster of people queuing outside a food bank this morning.
Emergency services were scrambled to Kirk Hallam Community Hall in Kirk Hallam, Derbyshire, where four people were treated for injuries.
The casualties have been rushed to hospital but none of their injuries are believed to be life threatening.
Police are ‘working on the theory’ that the van ploughed into the pedestrians on purpose.
Emergency services were scrambled to Kirk Hallam Community Hall in Kirk Hallam, Derbyshire, where four people were treated for injuries
A white van (pictured) is believed to ‘deliberately’ have rammed into a cluster of people queuing outside a food bank this morning
Scott Riley of Derbyshire police said: ‘The police are certainly working on the theory that it was a deliberate assault.
‘At this time we don’t know what the motive is, there could be numerous reasons. We would ask anyone in the local area who has information for us to come forward and speak to us at Derbyshire police.’
And a statement from the force said: ‘We were called to reports of a collision between a van and a number of people outside Kirk Hallam Community Hall in Kenilworth Drive, Kirk Hallam at 9am this morning.
‘East Midlands Ambulance Service were in attendance and three people were treated for injuries at the scene, two are described as having serious but not life-threatening injuries and one minor.
Fire crews, police and ambulances swooped in on the village of Kirk Hallam at around 9am
‘An investigation is in its early stages and enquiries are ongoing. If you were in the area at the time or have any information, please contact us quoting reference number 265 of July 5.’
An air ambulance has now landed at Ladywood Primary School as paramedics treat people at the scene.
A spokeswoman for East Midlands Ambulance Service says the number of people in hospital has gone up to four.
She said: ‘Three have been sent to the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham, and one was taken to the Ilkeston Community Hospital.
Police’s collision investigation unit is conducting skid tests at the scene of a van crash in Kirk Hallam
‘We received a call at 9.01am on July 5 to Kenilworth Drive in Ilkeston. The caller reported that there had been a road traffic collision between a van and several pedestrians.
‘We sent two paramedics in ambulance cars, the air ambulance and four crewed ambulances.
‘Three patients have been taken to Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham, and one patient with minor injuries has been taken to Ilkeston Community Hospital, all by land ambulance.’
In a statement, Kirk Hallam Community Hall said: ‘It is with huge sadness and shock that we can confirm that several people were hurt this morning when a van hit them, while they patiently waited for the food bank.
‘For those that do, please pray for a swift return to full health for everyone involved.
‘Thanks go to the team from Butterflies nursery who quickly helped, and to the paramedics and police who quickly cane to the scene.’