Minivan Incident at Harrisburg Festival Injures Three People
A minivan drove through barricades and into a crowd at Harrisburg’s Kipona festival, injuring three people, including a child, on Monday evening, according to reports. The incident occurred as the three-day festival was winding down, with police on the scene managing the aftermath.
The Harrisburg Bureau of Police stated that a woman in a red minivan drove around parked cars and barricades before striking the crowd. The three injured individuals include a 7-year-old boy, who was listed in critical condition, and two adults. The two adults, including a man who works for the city and a woman in a wheelchair, were reportedly in the crowd at the time of the incident, though their conditions were not immediately disclosed.
The incident took place just before the festival was officially concluding, with vendors packing up and police clearing the area. The police were reportedly in the process of securing the scene, which led to some confusion among attendees. Despite the chaos, authorities maintained that no life-threatening injuries were confirmed, though the severity of the situation is still being evaluated.
Local authorities have since taken the driver of the van into custody, with the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office confirming that the individual has been detained. The incident has sparked concerns about public safety at large events, with authorities now reviewing security protocols and crowd control measures for future festivals.
Witnesses, including staff from the Anna Rose Bakery & Coffee Shop, have shared their experiences on social media, expressing their shock and the need for time to process the tragic event. The bakery posted on Facebook that it would be closed the following day to allow its employees to recover from the incident.
As the investigation continues, officials are focusing on understanding the circumstances that led to the incident. The Harrisburg Bureau of Police has not yet released any official statement on the incident’s cause, emphasizing the need for further inquiry.
While the incident is ongoing, authorities have not indicated any broader implications beyond the immediate response to the event. The community is now looking for answers and reassurance as they recover from this tragic occurrence.