Canada: Tragedy as wedding guests are killed

Six people died and 19 were injured after a pick-up truck ploughed through a wedding crowd, police in western Canada said tonight.

Police in Abbotsford, British Columbia, said 25 to 30 guests were walking along the road late last night when the truck – driven by a 71-year-old man -lost control and hit them.

Mr Vinet said the six who died range in age from their teens to their 50s.

Police spokesman Casey Vinet said many of the victims were related. Twelve ambulances and two helicopters transported the injured to hospital.

The injuries range from minor to serious, police said. Some had already been released tonight. Three of the dead are men, the other three are women, but police have not released their identities.

“It’s just terrible” Mr Vinet said.

“I’ve been told by one our senior officers with more than 20 years of experience that this is one of the most difficult scenes he’s ever witnessed.”

He said the driver was questioned but has been released and that alcohol and drugs were not a factor.

The truck has been taken for a mechanical inspection.