Woman Killed After Being Run Over by Mardi Gras Float in New Orleans
A woman celebrating the final full week of carnival season in New Orleans, Louisiana was tragically killed Wednesday night after being run over by a Mardi Gras float.
Just after 9 p.m., the New Orleans Police Department announced on Twitter that officials are investigating a “traffic fatality” at the intersection of Magazine Street and Cadiz Street.
NOLA Ready — the city’s Emergency Preparedness Campaign —tweeted that an adult female victim was struck by a float and fatally injured during a Krewe of Nyx parade, which kicked off around 6:30 p.m.
NOLA Ready continued, explaining that float number 20 of the 44-float parade will be the last of the show. Float 22 and on has been canceled.
“Some additional non-float elements, like bands and marching groups have been diverted to an alternate route and will continue down St. Charles to finish the parade,” the tweet read.
Witnesses on the scene said the incident involved float number 21, which was covered with hot air balloons, Nola.com reported.
#NOPD is investigating a traffic fatality at the intersection of Magazine and Cadiz stree. Initial reports show an adult female victim. #NOPDAlert
— NOPD (@NOPDNews) February 20, 2020
.@neworleansems is responding to an incident on the parade route at Valence & Magazine. An individual was struck by a float and fatally injured.
— NOLA Ready (@nolaready) February 20, 2020
Float number 20 of the #Nyx parade will be the final float in the parade tonight. Some additional non-float elements, like bands and marching groups, have been diverted to an alternate route and will continue down St. Charles to finish the parade.
— NOLA Ready (@nolaready) February 20, 2020
Onlooker Richard Anderson told Nola.com the woman attempted to walk between two floats and was struck.
PEOPLE has not been able to independently confirm this as police are still trying to determine what happened, Mayor Latoya Cantrell revealed in a news conference.
Cantrell explained, during a clip of the news conference shared by WWL-TV, that “Given the circumstances, I’m sure you would agree that canceling the parade at the start of float 22 was the proper thing to do.”
Nyx Captain Julie Lea has issued a statement — obtained by WWL-TV — on the accident saying, “On such a joyous night, this is obviously a tragic occurrence.”
“The parade takes a backseat when something like this happens on the route. On behalf of the entire Krewe of Nyx, along with the City of New Orleans, we offer our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of the individual involved.”
⚠️Emergency personnel responding to incident on parade route at Magazine & Valence. Avoid this section of the route & listen to the instructions of first responders.
— NOLA Ready (@nolaready) February 20, 2020
WWL-TV reporter Katie Moore shared footage from the incident, showing emergency personnel on the scene as crowds of people disperse.
The identity of the victim has not been revealed to the public and the investigation is ongoing.
Somber scene once the crowd cleared after a woman was run over and killed by a Nyx float #BeOn4 pic.twitter.com/7w7F97oWk2
— Katie Moore (@katiecmoore) February 20, 2020
NOLA Ready is urging parade-goers to avoid the area at this time.
Nyx is one of the city’s largest all-women’s Mardi Gras krewe. Wednesday’s parade will be followed by Knights of Babylon, Chaos and Muses on Thursday.
The city’s famous festivities will continue up until Mardi Gras day on Feb. 25.
