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| Honor guard take part in the Independence Day parade in Washington D.C., capital of the United States, July 4, 2010. The United States celebrated its 234th Independence Day on Sunday. (Xinhua/Zhang Jun) |
BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhuanet) -- One woman, 60, was killed and 23 others were injured Sunday at the Independence Day parade in Bellevue, Iowa, by two runaway horses which rammed into spectators.
The horses ran out of control after they rubbed their heads against each other, causing one's bridle to come off. They then took off, taking the wagon they were pulling behind them, running into families watching the parade along the way, injuring spectators as young as two years old.
A police officer said the woman died of her injuries sustained in the incident Sunday evening at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, according to media reports.
Police said victims suffered injuries ranging from multiple fractures to collapsed lungs and bruises and abrasions. Five of the injured were in critical condition, including the woman who died.
Bellevue is a small town of around 2,300 residents, but the parade drew some 4,000 people, according to estimates, as many came from rural areas.
Parade is a staple in Fourth of July celebrations across the United States, and horses are usually seen in those parades.
(Agencies)
