Four young people were killed Monday afternoon after a car crashed into an after-school camp in downstate Chatham, according to the Illinois State Police.
A driver fatally struck three outside of YNOT After School Camp, which holds after-school programs and summer camps, and killed one person inside after crashing into the building, authorities said. Several others were injured in the crash, which occurred about 3:20 p.m.
The victims were between 4 and 18 years old. Several were taken to local hospitals, including one who was flown by life flight helicopter.
The Illinois driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, wasn’t injured but was taken to a hospital for evaluation, police said. Officials didn’t disclose if the driver was taken into custody.
As evening fell, police cars with lights flashing still blocked streets leading to the building.
“If you believe in the power of prayer, please take a moment to pray right now for the entire Chatham community,” Chatham Police wrote in a statement on Facebook Monday evening. “A terrible tragedy has occurred here that has affected all of us.”
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said in a statement he was “horrified and deeply saddened,” and he extended condolences to the families who lost children and others who were injured. He said state and local officials were working together on the investigation.
“Our community lost a group of bright and innocent young people with their whole lives ahead of them,” Pritzker said. “Parents said goodbye to their kids this morning not knowing it would be the last time. My heart is heavy for these families and the unimaginable grief they’re experiencing — something that no parent should ever have to endure.”
It is one of several recent instances of people driving vehicles into groups of people across the globe. Only two days earlier, a car plowed through a crowded street during a Filipino heritage festival in Vancouver, British Columbia, killing 11.
Contributing: AP