Rampaging driver strikes Times Square pedestrians

Police investigate the scene where a vehicle was driven onto a sidewalk and struck pedestrians in Times Square in New York, US, May 18, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

The incident took place close to 12 pm ET. Security camera footage showed the car slam into pedestrians who moments earlier were ambling along, some carrying shopping bags and others pushing baby strollers.

After the incident, police cordoned off an area from West 41st to 47th streets and from Sixth to Eighth avenues for a few hours.

The incident occurred near the headquarters of China Daily USA, 1500 Broadway and West 43rd Street, and near the Reuters news agency, 3 Times Square.

Rodney Muir, the building foreman at Reuters, said he heard what sounded like a big bang and crunching metal.

One of the injured, Cheryl Howard, had blood dripping down her right arm and a bruise above her left eye. She and her daughter were shopping when the car sped toward them.

"I'm so freaked out!" Howard's daughter said. "They mowed everyone down."

One woman had a large open wound on her leg.

Another witness, who would only identify himself as Andrew, said the driver was "aiming for as many people as he could possibly get. ... It was very bloody, very disturbing."

A man helps an injured woman on the sidewalk in Times Square after a speeding vehicle struck pedestrians on the sidewalk in New York City, US, May 18, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

A pregnant 38-year-old teacher from Baltimore who would only give her last name, Martin, said, "A man pulled me out of the way of the car," she said. "I think he saved my life."

A random sampling of tourists in the area included a woman from South China who just wanted to get back to her hotel with her infant son. A mother and daughter visiting from Austria were relieved they spent the day on the beach in Coney Island in Brooklyn and missed the commotion. A couple from Southampton, England, said they happened to be in a nearby pub so they also missed the tragedy.