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Mexican monster truck death toll now 8

The death toll from an accident involving a monster truck at an air show in Mexico has risen to eight.

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Source: AAP


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The death toll from an accident involving a "monster truck" at an air show in the Mexican city of Chihuahua has risen to eight, with 67 other people injured, officials say.

The accident occurred on Saturday evening, Chihuahua city public affairs office representatives told Efe.

The driver of the vehicle, which has tyres 1.5 metre tall, was going over a pile of junked automobiles when he lost control and hit the stands.

Four children are among the dead and the 67 injured spectators are being treated at various hospitals, officials said on Sunday.

Chihuahua Governor Cesar Duarte said in a Twitter posting shortly after the accident that all of the injured would be treated at no cost at state hospitals.

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The monster truck's driver, identified as Francisco Velazquez Samaniego, 51, is under arrest, officials said.

"The state Attorney General's Office wants to reiterate that the corresponding investigation will be carried out to clear up the incident that left dozens of people injured and regrettably left several people dead," the Chihuahua state government said in a statement.

The accident occurred during the three-day Festival Extremo AeroShow, an event that features planes, balloons, motorcycle races and monster trucks.


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