http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...2003Jul16.html
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Elderly Driver Plows Into Market, 8 Dead
The Associated Press
Wednesday, July 16, 2003; 7:10 PM
SANTA MONICA, Calif. - A car driven by an elderly man plowed through a crowded farmers market Wednesday, killing eight people including a 2-year-old girl and injuring at least 35 others.
The driver, who was in his 80s, was being interviewed by officers and treated for unspecified injuries, said Police Chief James T Butts Jr. The man was not identified.
Butts said that besides the eight deaths, 14 victims were critically injured and 21 or 22 had moderate or light injuries. He called the tragedy "the single most devastating scene I have seen."
Witnesses said victims were hurled through the air as the car, running down a street closed for the once-a-week market, smashed through market tents and boxes of produce.
"Sixty miles per hour and it wasn't slowing down. It was flying. And then people down, dead and everything," said David Lang, manager of a shoe store along the market route.
"I heard a car just hit, bang, bang, bang," said Mojgan Pour, 38. "I heard people screaming. By the time I looked, I never even saw the car. I tried to help a man and he died while I was helping him."
The car was extensively damaged, including a smashed front end and windshield. What appeared to be shoes were on its roof.
David Allwas told KABC-TV by telephone that he was at a bank when the car plowed through the market.
"I mean there were people flying anywhere, I was shocked," Allwas said.
He said the driver of the car looked like he might be having a heart attack.
"His arm was straight on the wheel and his body was stiff," Allwas said.
He said he saw as many as 12 people bleeding and injured.
"I saw it right there, bam. I just missed it by a few seconds. And I was devastated, I couldn't breathe," Allwas said.
Ronald Gaba was working inside Acadie restaurant on Arizona Street when he heard screams from the sidewalk.
"During the time, there was a lot of crying," Gaba said. "I came outside and saw one body covered by a cloth. I can't describe what is happening, it's something I've never seen before."
The Wednesday market occupies two blocks along Arizona Avenue in the oceanside city, bisecting its popular Third Street pedestrian promenade. It draws thousands of shoppers.
The Los Angeles suburb is renowned for its sweeping beaches and grassy park atop a bluff overlooking the ocean and the Santa Monica Pier.
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very sad.
hal isnt this somewhere near you?