6 injured after vehicle strikes pedestrians at Quebec festival

Six people were struck and injured by a vehicle early Saturday morning in St.-Tite, Que., where a 10-day Western festival is being held, according to Quebec provincial police.

A spokesperson with Sûreté du Québec said police were called around 4:30 a.m. to Boulevard St-Joseph, after pedestrians were hit.

Police said the vehicle fled the scene, but was found at around 5:30 a.m. in Quebec City.

A man in his 20s was arrested and will be interviewed by investigators.

According to police, the victims have varying injuries, including some that are serious.

Police said it’s unclear whether the incident was intentional, and that an investigation is underway.

Deputy Premier and Minister of Domestic Security Ian Lafrenière said Saturday there were “no reasons to believe it was planned, (or that) it was a terrorist attack.”

“We don’t have all of the details because now he’s getting questioned by the Sûreté du Québec but from what we learned, he’s been involved in a quarrel, a little fight. He left the scene, hit the pedestrians and he was apprehended about an hour later,” said Lafrenière.

The town is currently hosting its annual Festival Western de St-Tite, a country-western event. The festival continued Saturday.

“The fact is, this is an isolated incident — that’s what we need to keep in mind — and the site is extremely secure,” Danielle St-Amand, the festival’s board chair, told reporters on Saturday morning.

“This applies to everyone involved: the town of St-Tite, us (the festival organizers), and the Sûreté du Québec. So, I believe people can feel safe here, and we will do everything in our power to ensure their safety.”

In a statement, Premier Christine Fréchette said her thoughts are with the victims and that the ongoing investigation will determine what happened. She said she is in close contact with Lafrenière for updates on the investigation.

On social media, Parti Quebecois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon said his thoughts are with the injured and those who witnessed the scene, and praised first responders.