Four people are dead, including children, and several others are injured after a car crashed through an after-school camp in Chatham, Illinois.
At about 3.20pm on Monday (Tuesday AEDT), police responded after a vehicle drove through the east side of the YNOT After School Camp, Illinois State Police said in a news release.
Chatham is south of Springfield.
The vehicle struck several people outside the building, entered through the eastern portion of the building, before exiting the western side of the structure, Chatham Police Department Deputy Chief Scott Tarter said.
The fatalities are believed to be between the ages of four and 18.
Three of those killed were struck outside the building while another person was hit inside.
Several people were transferred to local hospitals, including one person who was transported by helicopter.
Video of the scene shows a large building, similar to a gym, with a hole along the bottom.
Several law enforcement vehicles can be seen and a helicopter is spotted flying over the area.
The driver, who was the sole occupant, was uninjured and taken to a local hospital for evaluation, state police said.
Chatham police later referred questions to the state police, which had no additional information by mid-evening local time.
CNN has reached out to the after-school camp.
Illinoir Governor JB Pritzker said his administration was “closely monitoring” the crash.
“Let’s wrap our arms around the community tonight as we receive updates on the situation,” he said in a post on Facebook.
“If you believe in the power of prayer, please take a moment to pray right now for the entire Chatham community,” Chatham police said on their Facebook page.
“A terrible tragedy has occurred here that has affected all of us.”
