During the event, a woman driving one of these giant vehicles lost control and ran over at least 38 people. The preliminary report indicates that children were among the injured.
It was confirmed that a 10-year-old girl died at the scene, and two more later died at medical centers.
Juan Carlos Muñoz Bravo, the city's mayor, reported three fatalities: "We are deeply saddened by the accident that occurred in the Bulevar Rose area, which, according to preliminary reports, has left more than 38 people injured and 3 dead."
The moment of the accident was captured on video, showing the woman jumping over a challenge, but losing control and accelerating toward the audience watching the event.
For his part, Colonel Julián Castañeda, commander of the Popayán Police, reported that it appeared to have been a mechanical failure, as the vehicle accelerated and was unable to brake, causing it to crash into a pole and then into the crowd that was watching the event. "It was a private event. There was a mechanical failure, and the vehicle went off the track. It accelerated, couldn't be braked, and the driver is in stable condition," Colonel Julián Castañeda, commander of the Popayán Police, told EL TIEMPO.
However, the private secretary indicated that it is too early to discuss possible hypotheses about this accident.
"We are verifying what happened, what occurred; the investigation process is already underway. We are verifying what happened to the vehicle and the drivers involved in this activity. The female driver is among the injured; she is being treated at a medical center," the secretary said.
It was a few seconds of panic as people screamed for help and called for assistance when they saw the Monster Truck heading toward the community.
"One of those cars lost control and went into a group of people, crashed into a pole—it's the Pan-American Highway—hitting several people and knocking down the pole. Ambulances arrived at the scene. We don't have a report on how many people are injured," said the Popayán Police.
The Fire Department is on the scene, and dozens of ambulances arrived to attend to the victims.
