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Four killed in US drag car crash US drag car race death toll rises
(about 6 hours later)
Four people have died and 15 have been injured after a drag racing car spun out of control and hit a crowd of spectators in Tennessee, officials say. Three more people have died after an accident at a drag car race in the US, bringing the death toll to seven.
The accident happened at the Cars for Kids charity event in Selmer, 130 km (80 miles) east of Memphis. Fifteen were injured in the incident, which happened at a charity event on Saturday in Selmer, 130km (80 miles) east of Memphis, Tennessee.
A witness, Scott Henley, told the Associated Press that, after burning off its tyres, the vehicle swerved into a pole and then spun into the crowd. Witness Scott Henley told the Associated Press that after burning off its tyres, the vehicle had swerved into a pole and spun into the crowd.
"Bodies were flying into the air," Selmer Police Chief Neal Burks said."Bodies were flying into the air," Selmer Police Chief Neal Burks said.
Those killed were all adults, the authorities reported. At least eight of the injured have been taken to hospital in the surrounding area. The condition of the driver was unknown.
Festival closed
Two teenagers were among the dead - a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old, Tennessee Highway Patrol spokesman Mike Browning told the AP news agency.
The race team is in shock and deeply saddened by this unexpected event AMS Pro Modified SeriesThe race team is in shock and deeply saddened by this unexpected event AMS Pro Modified Series
The festival, which was expected to be attended by up to 60,000 people over the weekend, was shut down following the accident.The festival, which was expected to be attended by up to 60,000 people over the weekend, was shut down following the accident.
The AMS Pro Modified Series, which sanctions drag races, issued a statement saying the driver of the car had been a veteran of more than 20-years drag racing and that he had been taken to hospital after the accident. The AMS Pro Modified Series, which sanctions drag races, issued a statement saying the driver of the car had been a veteran of more than 20 years' drag racing and that he had been taken to hospital after the accident.
The series said the driver had been performing an "exhibition burnout" - spinning the tires to make them heat up and smoke - when road conditions caused the car to lose control. The series said the driver had been performing an "exhibition burnout" - spinning the tyres to make them heat up and smoke - when road conditions caused the car to lose control.
"The race team is in shock and deeply saddened by this unexpected event," it added."The race team is in shock and deeply saddened by this unexpected event," it added.
"Their hearts and prayers are with the injured people and their families.""Their hearts and prayers are with the injured people and their families."
The Cars for Kids charity raises money for children with disabilities through a series of national car races and pageants.The Cars for Kids charity raises money for children with disabilities through a series of national car races and pageants.