Authorities responded to a major incident in the English city of Nottingham on Tuesday morning after three people were found dead — two of whom were lying in the street — and three others were injured after being hit by a man driving a white van.
Police were called to Ilkeston Road in the city shortly after 4 a.m., where two unidentified people were found dead. Their cause of death is not yet known.
A man was also found dead at a residence on Magdala Road, around two miles away from Ilkeston Road.
Nottinghamshire Police were then called to a further incident on Milton Street after reports that a van had run over three more individuals, all of whom were injured in the incident and are being treated in the hospital.
The 31-year-old driver of the van, described by eyewitnesses as “a Black man with dreadlocks and a beard,” has been arrested on suspicion of murder, suggesting authorities have linked the multiple incidents. He remains in custody. No further description or background of the suspect has been disclosed.
According to GB News’ Mark White, “the police apparently were seen taking from a rucksack what looked like a rather large knife.”
An eyewitness to the van incident told Channel 4 News: “I saw a van pull up at the side of a man. It was white. There was a police car behind it, no flashing lights.
“The man in the driver’s seat looked in his mirror and saw the police car behind him. The white van then quickened up to the corner of the street and went into two people. The lady ended up on the curb, and then he backed up and he went to speed up Parliament Street with the police cars following him.
“To me, he went straight into them. He didn’t even bother to turn,” she added.
East Midlands Ambulance Services (EMAS) said in a statement that “it is too early to comment on casualties or the exact nature of the incident.
“We are working closely with Nottinghamshire Police and have well-rehearsed plans in place to deal with this incident.”
Ex National Counter Terrorism Security Officer Chris Phillips told Talk TV that the major incident “looks like terrorism,” but this has yet to be confirmed by police involved in the investigation.
Nottingham’s three Labour MPs issued a joint statement offering their “thoughts and prayers” to the “families and loved ones of those who have died and those injured.”
“Nottingham is a beautiful city, home to brilliant people from all backgrounds. We are shaken by today’s events but will meet them collectively as a community and heal together,” they added.
