A series of horrific incidents unfolded in Nottingham, England, on Tuesday morning, leaving three people dead and three others injured. A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the attacks.
Nottinghamshire Police Chief Constable Kate Meynell described the events as "horrific and tragic." Authorities discovered two bodies on one street shortly after 4 a.m., and a third on a separate street. A van also struck three individuals at a different location; they are currently receiving hospital treatment, and their condition remains undisclosed.
Eyewitness accounts paint a chilling picture of the unfolding chaos. Lynn Haggitt reported seeing a white van deliberately drive into a man and woman at a street corner. She recounted the van driver's apparent disregard for their safety, stating that he "didn't even bother to turn" before hitting the pedestrians. Ms. Haggitt further described the driver reversing and speeding away, pursued by police. While the man appeared to have a head injury, he was able to stand with assistance, and the woman, seated on the curb, seemed relatively unharmed.
Police have not yet revealed a potential motive for the attacks, and the investigation remains under the control of local authorities, not counterterrorism units. Chief Constable Meynell confirmed the belief that the three incidents are connected, emphasizing that the investigation is in its early stages.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed his shock at the events and urged the public to allow the police time to conduct a thorough investigation. He offered condolences to the injured and the families of the deceased.
Social media images depicted a heavy police presence in the city center, with officers, some armed with rifles, securing various locations. Nottingham's tram network temporarily suspended all services following the incidents.
Nottingham, a city of approximately 350,000 residents, is situated roughly 120 miles north of London.
