Tragedy at a July 4th Parade

Things went badly out of control at an Iowa parade today:

BELLEVUE, Iowa - At least 13 people, including a number of children, were injured in July Fourth festivities which turned tragic Sunday morning in Bellevue.

Toward the end of the town's annual Heritage Day parade, two horses drawing a buggy spooked and started galloping out of control along the parade route. The horses jumped curbs, tore down signs and slammed into cars, all the while running over children sitting on curbs.

After about eight blocks, the horses rammed into a large street sign, flipping over the buggy and ejecting the two people in it. The runaway horses galloped another two blocks before slamming into a trailer hitched to a van.

Parade-goers were in shock while surveying the aftermath. Crowds littered the sidewalk and rushed to offer aid to the injured. Police, firemen and ambulances on scene offered emergency care. Most of the injured were transported in ambulances to local hospitals, and at least one was airlifted by helicopter.

Police tried to evacuate the scene, but emotions were running high as witnesses cried and hugged each other in grief and disbelief. Small flip-flops and pieces of candy were strewn along the route where the horses had trampled parade-viewers.