3 deaths after Jeeps ploughs into auto auction in Massachusetts

THREE people have been killed and more than a dozen injured when a Jeep ploughed into a crowd at an auto auction in Massachusetts in the US.

The New York Post reported the crash happened just after 10am Wednesday (midnight Thursday AEST) at the Lynnway Auto Auction, north of Boston, according to WCVB.

The Jeep was in one of the facility’s eight lanes when it suddenly accelerated and struck the people about 90 minutes after the auction was scheduled to begin, witnesses told the station.

“At this point, there is no evidence or information to suggest the incident was caused by an intentional or terrorist act. All evidence and information at this time suggests an accidental cause,” Massachusetts State Police said in a statement.

Authorities were investigating whether the out-of-control Jeep’s driver had a medical emergency, CBS Boston reported.

The driver — described as a man about 75 years old — had been moving the Jeep Cherokee when he lost control and hit a wall at the auction site, a witness told NBC Boston.

“It’s pretty bad,” witness Andre Fedorov told NBC. “There was a loud noise, everyone started running. Just a car was through the wall, there were people on the ground.”

“It was definitely an accident,” he added. “It wasn’t purposeful.”

Auction worker Woody Tuttle said the Jeep’s driver was trying to avoid hitting other vehicles when it ran into several people standing between the lanes.

“I heard a screeching of tyres, and, I believe, a Jeep Cherokee went flying by me. In avoiding the cars, whoever was driving this vehicle hit several people,” Mr Tuttle said.

The Jeep then smashed through the side of the building.

“(The driver) avoided the cars, and went on to hit the people who were standing between the cars,” Mr Tuttle told WCVB. “Three (men) were on the ground being tended to. There was a woman who was crying, but she was standing up, and I saw two men on the ground who appeared to be dead.”

Randy Miller, who was attending the auction, said it appeared the Jeep was travelling about 64km/h.

“We heard a bang or an explosion. It was almost like a bomb. The whole place just went silent,” Mr Miller said. “There were people just lying on the ground — a horrific, crazy, tragic situation.”

MORE HERE: Multiple deaths after Jeeps ploughs into auto auction in Massachusetts | Perth Now