Two people suffered serious leg injuries Saturday when they were caught between an antique vehicle and a trailer carrying children in a May Day parade in Kennebunk.
“In what appears to be a total accident an antique vehicle lurched forward unexpectedly and ended up crushing several people between a car and a trailer being used as a float with numerous children on it,” Kennebunk Fire-Rescue officials said in a statement.
Police and fire officials said the incident occurred at 1:30 p.m. during the first minutes of the parade. Participants mustered on Water Street and waited close together for their turn to march forward. The lineup included a small tractor pulling the trailer, a group of women in costume and then a group of antique car collectors. One of the cars was a 1938 Ford Coupe driven by its 85-year-old owner.
“Based on what we were told from eyewitnesses at the scene, all of a sudden, the antique automobile’s engine revved up extremely loud, the tires were screeching and it lurched forward,” Lt. Chris Russell said in an interview. “It did strike two women.”
The women suffered serious fractures and were transported to Maine Medical Center.
Fire Chief Justin Cooper said a third adult injured in the pileup was treated at the scene but did not go to the hospital. The impact jostled the children in the trailer, but they were not injured beyond minor bumps and bruises.
“It was really before the parade had started moving, so everybody was condensed,” Cooper said.
Officials did not identify anyone involved in the incident, and they did not immediately know which groups were involved. Russell said the car’s owner is fully cooperating with the investigation, and police do not believe alcohol or drugs were a factor. The department impounded the vehicle to conduct an inspection. Russell said they are not sure whether the cause was “mechanical failure or operator error.”
“We don’t have a definitive answer,” Russell said. “It was something that caught the driver completely by surprise. The people in front really didn’t have time to react. Based on what we’re seeing so far, it looks like it might have just been a tragic accident, but again, we’re going to be investigating all aspects.”
“He was very shaken up by it as well,” he said of the owner.
Cooper said 36 groups participated in the parade. Most of those lined up behind the crash – about 200 of 500 total participants – did not get to proceed. Officials credited bystanders, including two physician assistants, for their help at the scene.
“The community, they immediately sprung into action, whether it was to call 911 to get help, physically running to find emergency personnel,” he said. “They immediately tried to render aid to keep them calm and immobilized not to further injured themselves. People that witnessed the event stayed and were able to give helpful information. The community really did come together to help those in need, and it was a proud moment for me as a police officer to see how the community members responded.”
Russell said the town, which organizes the parade, will also look for any changes that need to be made to prevent future incidents.
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