A six-year-old boy and a 35-year-old man have died after a pickup truck drove onto youth soccer fields at Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita, Kansas, striking multiple people during a game on Saturday afternoon.
The incident occurred at approximately 3:25pm, leaving at least 11 other people injured, according to police. The two victims, both from McPherson, Kansas, were pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities said they were not related.
Among those injured were two five-year-old children, a boy and a girl, as well as a nine-year-old girl. The other injured individuals were aged between 28 and 68. Some victims were reported to be in critical condition and were taken to nearby hospitals.
Driver Reportedly Asked What She Had Done
The 34-year-old woman driving the pickup truck was reportedly heard expressing shock after the vehicle struck people on the fields.
According to a reporter who recalled the scene, she shouted: “Oh my God, oh my God, what have I done?”
The driver, who is from Garden City, Kansas, remained at the scene and was subsequently taken into police custody.
Authorities have not determined publicly whether the incident was deliberate or accidental.
Parents Rescue Driver as Bystanders Help Victims
Wichita Police Department Chief Joe Sullivan said other parents pulled the woman from the vehicle while people at the sports complex attempted to help those who had been struck.
Bystanders provided what police described as life-saving assistance while emergency personnel responded to the scene.
Sullivan praised the efforts of those who helped the injured, saying their actions reflected the Wichita community.
Police Captain Aaron Moses said the driver’s two children had been inside the pickup truck during the incident. One of them had been scheduled to participate in a game.
Witness Describes Pickup Truck Driving Across Fields
A witness told local television station KWCH that a black pickup truck travelled across the youth soccer fields, hitting several people before stopping approximately 100 to 200 yards farther along.
The witness described seeing emergency responders performing CPR and providing medical assistance to victims.
Footage from the scene showed emergency crews attending to injured people as police secured the area and investigators examined the grounds.
Moses said authorities did not yet know how fast the vehicle was travelling or how it entered the playing area.
Police Interview Witnesses and Seek Video Evidence
Investigators have interviewed more than 30 witnesses as they work to establish what happened at the sports complex.
Police have also appealed to members of the public who may have recorded the incident to submit their footage, regardless of whether they believe it contains significant evidence.
“Regardless of how significant you believe your footage may be, we encourage you to submit it. Even the smallest detail could assist investigators,” the Wichita Police Department said.
Authorities confirmed that the driver was in custody and that there was no continuing threat to the public from her.
Wichita Mayor Expresses Condolences
Wichita Mayor Lily Wu said she was heartbroken by the incident and urged people to avoid the affected area.
“My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected, especially the children and families involved,” she said.
The Stryker Sports Complex, located in northeast Wichita, is a major regional sporting venue with 11 outdoor artificial-turf fields. It regularly hosts youth soccer competitions and other sporting events.
The incident occurred during a gathering of young players, coaches, parents and spectators.
Flag Football State Championship Suspended
The Kansas State High School Activities Association suspended the flag football state championship following the fatal incident.
The association said the third-place and championship games would not resume over the weekend, with revised arrangements to be announced later.
“Given the nature of the emergency, we felt it was best to suspend the flag football third place and championship games until a later date,” the organisation said.
It also extended its condolences to the families and teams affected by the incident at the soccer fields adjacent to the flag football competition.
Further details about the rescheduled games were expected to be announced on Monday as police continued investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
