Child and Adult Killed After Vehicle Drives Onto Soccer Field in Wichita
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A child and an adult were killed and several other people were injured Saturday afternoon when a vehicle drove onto a soccer field at a sports complex in Wichita, Kansas, police said. The driver was taken into custody, and events at the complex have been canceled until further notice.
Authorities have not said whether the driver acted intentionally, according to Fox News. Police described the investigation as being in its early stages.
What police have said so far
Capt. Aaron Moses of the Wichita Police Department told reporters at a briefing that emergency crews were called to Stryker Soccer Complex after multiple 911 calls around 3:25 p.m. CT, ABC News reported. Moses called the event a tragedy.
The two people who died were declared dead at the scene, according to ABC News. Police have not identified them. Others who were hurt were taken to hospitals, ABC News and Fox News reported. CBS News said it was unclear how many people were injured, and Fox News described the number only as several.
Moses said two juveniles were inside the vehicle at the time, according to all three outlets. Fox News reported that the vehicle remained at the scene and that police said the driver posed no further threat to the public.
Agencies at the scene
Fox News reported that a number of agencies responded, including the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office, the Bel Aire Police Department, the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Wichita Fire Department and Sedgwick County Emergency Medical Services.
Reaction from officials and the complex
The city of Wichita said in a Facebook post that all events at the sports complex were canceled until further notice. The city asked people to keep those affected in their thoughts during a difficult time, ABC News reported.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said in a statement that she was monitoring the situation and was in contact with Wichita Mayor Lily Wu. She offered condolences to the families of the victims, the survivors and everyone affected.
Stryker Soccer Complex said in its own statement that it was praying for those affected. It said its hearts were heavy and that it was thinking of the injured, their families and those who witnessed the event.
Why it matters for families and players
The crash happened during youth and school sports activity at a public sports venue, and it has disrupted events there. Fox News reported that the Kansas State High School Activities Association suspended play at its inaugural girls flag football state championship, which was being held at the complex. The incident occurred on an adjacent field, according to the report.
The association said games would not resume this weekend and that new game times would be announced later. Anyone with plans at the complex, including teams and spectators, should expect that the city has canceled events there with no set return date, based on the city's statement.
What happens next
Police said another briefing was expected Saturday evening, according to Fox News. The identities of the victims, the number and condition of the injured, and the driver's motive have not been disclosed. ABC News, Fox News and CBS News each described the story as developing.
