NINE people have been injured after a man mounted a pavement and "zig-zagged" through drinkers at a Marbella terrace bar "with his parents in the car", say horrified locals.
A chef at a snack food bar who witnessed the horror said: “He careered into people sat on several tables on the pavement."
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Five people are in hospital after a car ploughed into a Spanish bar Credit: jq406099/Twitter 6
Police have since cordoned off the area as the suspected driver was arrested Credit: Raúl Morote Gil/Twitter 6
The grisly images from above show the scene left by the horrific incident Credit: MJFdz/Twitter
All those injured have been transferred to Marbella’s Costa del Sol Hospital. One was described as being in a serious condition.
Police in the southern Spanish city said a car rammed into a pedestrian area filled with outdoor cafes and restaurants.
The crash took place in the mid-afternoon as the area was brimming with customers having lunch, said Raul Morote, whose family owns several restaurants on the popular avenue.
"The car was zigzagging and sweeping away everything," Morote said.
He described seeing about a dozen people being helped on the spot by emergency crews - many of whom had blood pouring down their legs.
A chef at a snack food bar said the driver "careered into people sat on several tables on the pavement.
"Four Arab women who were on holiday in Marbella were among the injured.”
We're talking cuts, broken bones and probably head injuries.
Jorge Martin, bar manager
The driver was a 30-year-old Spanish citizen who was travelling in the vehicle with his parents, reports claim.
Distressing images emerged showing stricken casualties being tended to by by-standers as police cordoned off the scene.
The bar is in a street called Avenida Miguel Cano near the spot where holidaymakers start tours of the Marbella in horse-drawn carriages.
Jorge Martin, manager at the Casa Blanca bar, where most of the casualties were enjoying terrace drinks and food, said: “I helped some of the injured.
“I would say anything between six and 10 people were hurt.
"I couldn’t really tell you where they came from. We're talking cuts, broken bones and probably head injuries.
“It was a very distressing situation. I know someone has been arrested.
"But I’m not in a position at this stage to say what exactly happened and whether the driver meant to mow down people or it was an accident.”
SPANISH DRIVER NABBED
It is believed the car crashed at around midday as people sat outside the street's bustling bars and restaurants.
Outlet SUR has confirmed that the driver has now been arrested as police continue to investigate.
He was reportedly suffering from mental health issues.
A worker at a cafe-bar, who declined to give her name, added: “The police and ambulance were at the scene very quickly.
“The first emergency vehicle was arriving as I put down the phone after dialling 999.
“People were screaming and shouting and there was a lot of bystanders running in every direction because at first no-one really knew what was going on and whether it was a terrorist attack."
At first no-one really knew what was going on and whether it was a terrorist attack.
Cafe worker
She added: “Others jumped on the driver before the police got to him and held him while back-up arrived.
“I saw an older man and woman get out of the car he was in.
“It happened around 3.15pm. The vehicle involved was a white Suzuki, I think it was a Suzuki SX4.”
COSTA DEL HORROR
The crash took place at about 3.30pm local time (2.30pm GMT).
Several ambulances and at least one fire engine was shown in pictures from the scene, where the car had appeared to crash into a shop front.
A spokesman for Spain’s National Police confirmed: “Officers are investigating at the scene together with town hall-employed local officers to try to clarify the causes."
Tonight, in an update, they added: “With regards to the incident this afternoon in Miguel Cano Avenue in Marbella, we can confirm the arrest of the driver of the vehicle.
“He is a Spaniard aged 30. A terrorist motive has been ruled out as the cause of the incident.
“Investigations are ongoing to clarify fully the cause.
“Around ten people have so far been recorded as injured. All are being treated at a hospital in Marbella.
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“Two of the casualties have been taken to another hospital in Malaga. One has considerable injuries.”
The man at the wheel of the car is believed to have tested negative in drink and drugs tests after he was removed from the scene.
Well-placed sources said they were investigating whether he was suffering psychiatric problems.
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The car collided with tables and chairs as it 'zigzagged' across the Avenida Miguel Cano street Credit: Raúl Morote Gil/Twitter 6
Ambulances and a fire engine quickly made it onto the scene as shocked witnesses had to be consoled by well wishers Credit: jq406099/Twitter 6
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