Four dead after car crashes through after-school camp

Four people, including children, were killed and several others injured when a vehicle drove through a building used by an after-school camp in Illinois, police say.

The victims at the YNOT After School Camp are believed to range in age from four to 18, authorities said.

The vehicle struck multiple people outside a building in Chatham, then continued through the building, hitting several people inside before exiting out the opposite side. It is unclear if the act was deliberate.

Several victims were taken to hospital by ambulance and helicopter. Illinois State Police said the driver was uninjured and transported to hospital for evaluation, and their investigation continues.

State police said they responded to the scene at about 15:30 local time (21:30 GMT).

In a post on X, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said his administration was monitoring the crash.

“Let’s wrap our arms around the community tonight as we receive updates on the situation,” he wrote.

Chatham is a village of 14,000 people about three miles (4.8km) outside of the state capital Springfield.