US

Motorcade carrying Kamala Harris’s vice president candidate involved in crash

Motorcade carrying Kamala Harris's vice president candidate involved in crash

One person has been injured after several vehicles crashed in a motorcade carrying Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz and his wife.

A member of the Democrat vice president candidate’s team “suffered a broken arm” after the crash between campaign and press vehicles, according to WTMJ, an affiliate of Sky News partner network NBC.

Mr Walz was travelling to a presidential campaign event in Wisconsin on Monday. He and his wife were unhurt in the incident.

Image:
Pic: ABC Pool/NBC

Images posted on social media showed large minibuses with crumpled front and backends.

It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the crash, which occurred shortly before 1pm local time (7pm UK time), but the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating.

Pic: ABC Pool/NBC
Image:
Pic: ABC Pool/NBC

The vans were transporting reporters travelling with Mr Walz on his election campaign trail.

A member of staff, travelling in one minibus along with reporters, was treated for a suspected broken arm.

Passengers described being “violently thrown forward” as the vehicle slammed into another in front, and was also hit from behind.

Some reporters suffered minor injuries, described as “scrapes and bruises”, and one person was thought to have concussion.

People were assessed by paramedics before being transferred to another minibus to the event.

Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and his wife Gwen arrive for a campaign stop at Laborfest Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
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Tim Walz and his wife Gwen arrive at a rally in Milwaukee. Pic: AP

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Mr Walz and his wife Gwen were riding closer to the front of the motorcade and were not caught up in the crash, which happened near the rear.

President Joe Biden called from Air Force One and spoke to Mr Walz afterwards, as the president was travelling to a separate event in Pittsburgh with vice president Kamala Harris.

Ms Harris, the Demoncrat presidential candidate, was initially campaigning in Detroit before heading to the joint event later in the day with Mr Biden, and her team said she also spoke with her running mate by phone.

Mr Walz spoke briefly about the crash at the rally in Milwaukee which he said involved “some of my staff and members of the press”.

“We’ve spoken with the staff. I’m relieved to say that with a few minor injuries, everybody’s going to be okay,” Mr Walz said.

He also thanked the secret service and emergency crews for their quick response.