Monster truck crushes three

A monster truck outfitted with tractor-sized wheels crashed into a crowd during a show in the Netherlands near the German border yesterday, reportedly killing three people and injuring at least a dozen.

Video footage of the incident shows the truck veering off course after driving over the top of a row of cars, then knocking down a guardrail and driving into a group of onlookers.

The mayor of the eastern city of Haaksbergen, Hans Gerritsen, said one child and two adults had been killed in the incident.

A total of 15 others were injured, according to Dutch national broadcaster NOS. Earlier, Mr Gerritsen told the broadcaster two children had been killed.

Local police could not immediately be reached to confirm the number of dead. Ambulances and emergency services were quickly on the scene.

One of the show’s organisers, Geerlof Kanis, told local broadcaster RTV Oost that the city had granted a permit for the event, which is held annually.

He said safety fences kept onlookers at a sufficient distance from the show. He speculated that either the truck’s accelerator got stuck or its brakes had failed.

In footage of the incident posted to social media, the truck revs its engine after rolling over the row of cars, and then begins to turn.

As it becomes clear the truck is on a crash course with the guard rail, about 30 people in the truck’s path fall back or jump away. The truck then lurches to a stop.

Mr Kanis said the truck’s driver is being questioned by police.