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One Dead After Car Ploughs Into Pedestrians In Sochi

One Dead After Car Ploughs Into Pedestrians In Sochi

According to reports the man 'fell asleep' at the wheel

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

One man has been killed and five more injured after a car ploughed into pedestrians in Sochi, Russia.

According to the Daily Mail, a 63-year-old local man died on the spot and five more were rushed into hospital, where two women are reported to be in a critical condition.

The driver also hit another car, carrying a mum and her child, but neither is reported to have sustained any injuries.

East2West

Police told Russia Today: "As a result of the accident, a local 63-year-old man has died at the scene, while three other pedestrians were hospitalised with various degrees of injuries."

The MailOnline reports that the driver who has been named locally as Sergey Antonyan, 23, managed to climb out his car's window and escape the smash uninjured. Police have said there is no suspicion of terrorism.

Local media has reported that the man had fallen asleep at the wheel, with police telling Russia Today: "According to preliminary data, [the driver] fell asleep behind the wheel, drove through the incoming traffic and crashed into the pedestrians."

East2West

Police are now investigating the scene and considering opening a criminal case against the man.

An unnamed source told Russia Today that the man had told police he fell asleep and couldn't remember the incident, adding that he had been working behind the wheel as a taxi driver for two days straight without taking a rest.

In shocking footage, the car can be seen cutting across several lanes before swerving off the road and onto the pavement where a crowd of pedestrians are walking along with their backs to the car.

East2West

The incident happened 12km away from Sochi's city centre, with the city due to host Russia versus Croatia in their quarter-final match of the World Cup on Saturday.

Sources: Daily Mail; RT.com

Featured Image Credit: East2West

Topics: World News, Russia