Car strikes pedestrians in New York's Times Square

A car struck a group of pedestrians in New York's Times Square on Thursday, causing casualties in one of the most popular tourists spots in Manhattan, an AFP photographer said.
Law enforcement official says at least 1 dead, about 20 injured after car plows into pedestrians in Times Square.
A pedestrian has died after a driver ploughed into the sidewalk in New York's Times Square, according to local media reports.

Dozens of people appeared to have been involved in what appeared an accident, as ambulances and police cars descended on the area.

Television images taken at the scene midday Thursday showed people being taken away on stretchers.

The car came to rest with two of its wheels in the air, leaning on a lamppost and steel barriers intended to block vehicles from getting onto the sidewalk.

Dozens of people were injured when a car hit pedestrians in New York's Times Square Thursday, the city's fire department reported.

Local media reported that the driver was in police custody.

Photos circulating on social media show a car that had mounted the sidewalk and crashed, as well as images said to show people being treated for injuries.

The 26-year-old driver was taken into custody and was being tested for alcohol, the law enforcement official told The Associated Press. He has a history of driving while intoxicated, the official said.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing.

Police do not suspect a link to terrorism, but the bomb squad has responded as a precaution to check the vehicle.

The maroon-colored Honda sedan came to rest with two of its wheels in the air, leaning on a lamppost and steel barriers intended to block vehicles from getting onto the sidewalk.