Officials say that a van crashed into runners during Thursday’s start of The Bear Race in North Carolina.
The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games hosts the annual race, which is part of a weekend of music and dancing that celebrates Scottish heritage.
According to the Games, the accident that “involved a vehicle and multiple people” occurred shortly after 7 p.m. at the intersection of U.S. Route 221 in Linville.
According to North Carolina Highway Patrol troopers, the driver of the van that struck the crowd was transporting people up and over the mountainside in preparation for the race.
Troopers told the station that the vehicle hit runners and struck a Gator 4×4 vehicle.
It is unclear what the current state of the victims are, and their identities have not been released.
North Carolina Highway Patrol stated Friday morning that they are still gathering details about the incident.
Cory Wilkinson, a runner, recalled hearing horror screams as the vehicle passed through the crowd of athletes.
Wilkinson told WSOC that a vehicle moved forward through the crowd about 10 minutes prior to the race’s start. “I heard screams, and unfortunately that vehicle struck several people,” Wilkinson told WSOC.
He said that the driver wasn’t trying hurt anyone. “Something went wrong. “No one knows exactly what happened at his point.”
After the incident, the Bear Race was canceled. According to the race’s website, runners typically start in Linville and climb up to Grandfather Mountain. This elevation is over 5,000 feet.
Grandfather Mountain Highland Games President Steve Quillin released a statement saying that he and his entire Grandfather Mountain Highland Games family were deeply affected by the tragic event. He also extended condolences.
