ONE person has been killed and five left injured after a car “deliberately” slammed into a group of pedestrians outside a wine bar.
A driver “deliberately reversed at high speed” into a crowd in the town centre of Évreux in Normandy, northern France, in the early hours of Saturday, according to a judge.
The people were struck down outside this wine bar in Normandy
A man in his thirties died at the scene, while two men aged 31 and 52 were rushed to hospital in critical condition.
Two other pedestrians aged 34 and 58 were also hospitalised in moderate condition, while a 50-year-old woman sustained light injuries.
The apparent attack is said to have followed an argument inside the La Winery bar on Winston Churchill Street.
At around 4am on Saturday a person “allegedly went to fetch a vehicle” and “deliberately reversed at high speed into a crowd outside the establishment”, according to local prosecutor Remi Coutin.
Prosecutors have excluded terror or racism as the motivation.
Three people were arrested – two who were inside the car and one who was outside, according to the judge.
Évreux’s mayor, Guy Lefrand, said: “A fight broke out, causing a crowd movement and a vehicle then hit several people.
“The situation has now returned to calm. An investigation is underway to establish the exact circumstances of this tragedy.”
Mayor Lefrand added: “I would like to express my deepest sympathy and solidarity with the victims, their families, and their loved ones.
“I commend the responsiveness of the police and emergency services, who immediately mobilised to secure the area and care for the injured.”
The manager of the wine bar decided to close the late-night drinking spot early after a fight broke out between multiple people, according to prosecutors.
Around a hundred people reportedly spilled out onto the street – which is when the car sped into them.
Police are investigating for murder and attempted murder.
A local said the screams woke him up.
He told France 3: “From my window, I saw a car coming down from Rue d’Hardencourt, a street that connects to Avenue Winston Churchill.
“It was going fast. When it reached the bar, a woman got out. She argued with some people.
“Then, in turn, a man got out of the car. A few minutes later, the car hit a group.”
The man said he called the police, and was taken aback by the “very violent scene”.
Speaking to France 3, Mayor Lefrand alleged that the bar should have closed its doors at 1am.
On its Facebook page, however, La Winery states it is open until 4am from Thursday to Saturday.