Dominican truck kills 12 children

Twelve children died instantly when a speeding lorry careered into a dance hall where they had gathered for a New Year celebration, according to police in the Dominican Republic.

An elderly witness died of a heart attack and 18 people were injured in the accident in the town of El Salado, 150 miles (240km) from the capital, Santo Domingo.

The vehicle was travelling by more than 25 mph (40kph) over the speed limit when it crashed into the hall where around 2,000 people had assembled to see local children perform a traditional dance.

The driver, who was arrested after trying to escape, is due to appear in court on Monday, when a judge will decide whether to press charges.

Angry crowd

Witnesses said the driver had ignored detours set up to route traffic around the open-sided hall and had ploughed straight into it on Thursday evening.

He is thought to have been transporting a load of sand from a local river.

Regional police director General Rafael Ramirez Vidal said an angry crowd immediately ran after the truck, set it on fire and chased the driver, who leapt from the runaway vehicle along with two passengers - hitchhikers.

All three were detained on Friday. The lorry driver has been identified as Pedro Mendez Perez.