4 killed when automobile crashes into after-school program web site in Illinois

4 folks 4 to 18 years previous have been killed Monday afternoon when a automobile struck a faculty camp program in Chatham, Illinois, state police mentioned.

Authorities haven’t indicated whether or not they assume the crash was intentional.

The victims are three individuals who have been outdoors the constructing and one who was inside, state police mentioned in an announcement.

A number of others have been injured, officers mentioned, together with an individual who was taken to a hospital by helicopter.

A automobile drove into the east facet of a constructing utilized by the YNOT After Faculty Camp about 3:20 p.m., state police mentioned. It struck a number of folks inside and exited by way of the constructing’s west wall, the company mentioned.

The motive force, who was the one individual within the automobile, has been hospitalized.

State police mentioned the crash was below investigation.

Chatham police referred to as the deaths a “horrible tragedy.”

“In the event you consider within the energy of prayer, please take a second to hope proper now for your complete Chatham group,” they mentioned in an announcement.

Gov. JB Pritzker mentioned on X that he’s “horrified” by what occurred and that his workplace is able to assist these affected.

“Our group misplaced a bunch of brilliant and harmless younger folks with their complete lives forward of them,” he mentioned. “Mother and father mentioned goodbye to their youngsters this morning not realizing it will be the final time.”

He added: “My coronary heart is heavy for these households.”

In-person instruction was canceled Tuesday at Ball-Chatham Faculty District campuses, the place an e-learning day was declared as a substitute to focus “solely on the emotional well-being of everybody within the Ball-Chatham group,” spokesperson Danny Frey mentioned in an announcement.

The village of Chatham, about 12 miles south of Springfield, has a inhabitants of greater than 14,000. NBC affiliate WAND of Springfield reported that the constructing throughout from a metropolis water tower and park is leased or owned by the camp. 

A consultant for the camp didn’t instantly reply to a request for data. It says on its web site {that a} Springfield couple launched it in 2002 to assist preserve kids energetic and stimulate their minds in the summertime.

It is a creating story. Please examine again for updates.