BLACK Eyed Peas star Apl.de.Ap had performed at the Vancouver festival just minutes before the tragic crash that killed 11 people.
A black speeding Audi SUV ploughed into the crowd of “hundreds” that were present at the Lapu Lapu festival.
RexVancouver cops examining the car believed to be involved in the incident[/caption]
Rapper Apl.de.ap has paid tribute to the victims of the crashGetty – Contributor
UKNIPThe black Audi was seen by eyewitnesses speeding into the crowd[/caption]
Star rapper Apl.de.Ap, who finished his set just minutes before the disaster, has now paid touching tributes to the victims.
He wrote on his Instagram: “Our hearts are broken for the victims, their families and everyone affected by the tragedy at the Lapu Lapu festival.
“J-Rey and I had just finished performing and left the stage minutes before it happened. It is hard to describe the shock and the heaviness we feel.
“Thanks to everyone who’s checked in – your love means the world to me.
“Please keep the victims, their families and the organisers in your prayers.”
A black Audi with a mangled bonnet was seen in the street outside a food truck after the crash.
Horrifying footage showed victims and debris strewn across the road – with at least seven people lying on the ground.
Other clips appeared to show fellow festival-goers trying to help those on the floor.
Emergency services were also seen working at the scene following the harrowing incident.
A 30-year-old “lone suspect” – who was known to cops – was arrested shortly after the shocking event.
The suspect reportedly looked the the crowd and uttered “I’m sorry”.
Vancouver Police’s Acting Chief Steve Rai said during a press conference that the person in custody has a significant history of interactions with police and healthcare professionals “related to mental health”.
The police department said: “A number of people have been killed and multiple others are injured after a driver drove into a crowd at a street festival at E. 41st Avenue and Fraser shortly after 8 p.m. tonight.
“The driver is in custody. We will provide more information as the investigation unfolds.”
The force insisted that the incident was not being treated as a terrorist attack.
The investigation remains ongoing, and police have asked anyone with information to contact them.
Eyewitness Kris Pangilinan said he saw the black Audi speeding down the street before the driver “slammed the pedal down” and hit victims like “bowling pins”.
Pangilinan told CBS: “It’s something you don’t expect to see in your lifetime.”
He said: “[The driver] just slammed the pedal down and rammed into hundreds of people.
“It was like seeing a bowling ball hit — all the bowling pins and all the pins flying up in the air.”
The Toronto-based journalist added: “As someone who worked in news, you get numb to seeing these things — but seeing it in real life is just shocking.
“It was like a war zone…. There were bodies all over the ground.”
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ReutersEmergency services attended to the scene[/caption]
ReutersThe crash happened as the Filipino community gathered to celebrate Lapu Lapu Day[/caption]
AFPSteve Rai, Vancouver Police interim police chief, speaks during a news conference[/caption]
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