At least two people, including a child, were killed and several others injured when a vehicle drove through a youth soccer game at a sports complex in Wichita, Kansas. The driver was taken into police custody as a major emergency response unfolded.
The incident happened at approximately 3:25 p.m. Saturday at the Stryker Sports Complex, where a vehicle crossed the youth soccer fields and struck several people.
Police confirmed two people died at the scene. Several other victims were transported to nearby hospitals while emergency crews worked to treat those injured.
The driver, whose name has not been released, stayed at the scene before being taken into custody. He told authorities that two juveniles were also inside the vehicle.
Officials have not said whether the vehicle entered the field intentionally or as a result of an accident.
Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses confirmed the deaths while speaking to reporters at the scene shortly after the incident.
‘At about 3:25pm Sedgwick County emergency communications began receiving multiple emergency calls reporting that a vehicle had driven through a soccer game at Stryker soccer complex,’ Moses said to KWCH.
‘Our officers along with law-enforcement from the area, Wichita Fire Department and Sedgwick County EMS responded to the scene.
Police in Wichita, Kansas, declared a ‘mass casualty’ incident after a pickup truck drove across youth soccer fields at a sports complex. Two people have been confirmed dead
Emergency crews arrived quickly as people at the scene stood in shock following the incident
The Stryker Sports Complex features 11 outdoor all-sports turf fields
‘We have two fatalities confirmed here at the scene and multiple other casualties with individuals transported to area hospitals.’
Moses said the driver had been detained and emphasized that there was no continuing threat to the public.
‘The vehicle involved in this incident remained at the scene. The driver of that vehicle is currently in our custody.
‘There is no additional ongoing threat to the public from that driver.’
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Moses said investigators did not yet know how fast the truck had been traveling or how it entered the soccer field.
A witness told local television station 12 News that a ‘black pickup truck came plowing through the youth soccer fields hitting multiple people before stopping 100-200 yards down the fields.’
The witness said the scene was harrowing as first responders moved in to help the people hit by the vehicle.
‘Dozens of emergency responders on scene giving CPR and rendering aid to victims,’ the witness said.
Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses confirmed that two people died after the truck entered the soccer field
Shocked parents at the sports complextook out their phones and captured the scene
Emergency services were quickly on the scene helping where they could
The Stryker Sports Complex told people to avoid the area
The account suggested the truck had traveled a considerable distance across the sports fields before finally coming to a stop.
Police are appealing for anyone with video footage of the incident to share it with them.
‘Regardless of how significant you believe your footage may be, we encourage you to submit it. Even the smallest detail could assist investigators,’ said the WPD.
The tragedy unfolded at a venue popular with young soccer players and their families, turning what should have been an ordinary Saturday afternoon of sport into an emergency.
Stryker Sports Complex in northeast Wichita, is a major regional soccer facility that hosts youth competitions and other sporting events.
Its extensive playing fields regularly attract young athletes, coaches and spectators from across the region.
The fact that the vehicle appeared to drive directly through a soccer game has raised urgent questions about how it came to enter the playing area.
