Terror for revelers in New Orleans pickup truck ramming

A man "hellbent on creating carnage" drove a pickup truck at high speed into a crowd of New Year revelers in New Orleans yesterday, killing at least 10 people and injuring more than 35.

The incident took place at around 3.15am in the heart of the city's famous French Quarter, which was packed with people celebrating the arrival of 2025.

Crowds in the city had ballooned in anticipation of the Sugar Bowl college football playoff game at the nearby Superdome later in the day.

"This man was trying to run over as many people as he possibly could," police superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said.

"He was hell bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did," she said, adding that the driver had fired on police officers, wounding two of them.

The status and whereabouts of the driver were not immediately known.

Although the incident was not being treated as a terror attack, Kirkpatrick said the truck had been driven at "very high speed" and in a "very intentional" manner.

Louisiana governor Jeff Landry called it a "horrific act of violence."

The incident took place on Canal and Bourbon Street, with the latter a historic tourist destination known for attracting large crowds with its music and bars.

Witnesses said the truck rammed into the crowd before its driver jumped out and started exchanging gunshots with police.

"Once it was past us, we did hear gunfire, saw police running that direction," Nicole Mowrer said.

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