Eyewitnesses recall seeing dead bodies in Vancouver car ramming that killed 11, injured dozens of Filipinos

Eyewitnesses recalled seeing dead bodies on the ground during an incident in Vancouver, Canada on April 26, when a man drove a vehicle into a crowd of Filipinos holding a street festival for Lapu Lapu Day.

"There's a car that just went through... just hitting everyone," Abigail Andiso told Sky News. "I saw one man on the ground, and as I went further toward the end of where the car went, there were more casualties."

James Cruzat described people on the road crying, running, shouting, and screaming as they asked for help.

"We tried to go there to check what was really happening until we saw some bodies on the ground. Others were like lifeless. Others were like injured," Cruzat said.

Dale Selipe, meanwhile, said it was disheartening, especially since kids were involved.

"Everybody was set to have fun and enjoy the food. The families were set to be together," Selipe said, adding that it greatly impacted grandparents.

In a separate interview with Vancouver Sun, Selipe recalled seeing injured children on the street after the vehicle rammed into the crowd.

"There was a lady with her eyes staring up, one of her legs was already broken. One person was holding her hand trying to comfort her," Selipe said.

Jen Idaba-Castaneto, a security guard, told Glacier Media, via Vancouver in Business, that she saw bodies everywhere.

"It was like boom, boom, boom... People started screaming," Castaneto said. "You don't know who to help, here or there. It's so shocking." 

apl.de.ap, the founder of the hip-hop Black Eyed Peas who had just performed at the festival with touring member J. Rey Soul, on Facebook said they left the stage minutes before the incident happened.

"It's hard to describe the shock and heaviness we feel," apl.de.ap said. "Thank you to everyone who's checked in—your love means the world."

He asked the public to pray for the victims and their families.

"The one thing I have noticed—from the audience to the messages sent around, is the sense of community that wraps its loving arms around us. We love you all," he added.

In a statement, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said he's "completely shattered" to hear about the "terrible incident."

"On behalf of the Philippine Government and the Filipino people, Liza and I would like to express our deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and to the strong and thriving Filipino community in Canada," he said.

He noted that the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver is working with Canadian authorities "to ensure that the incident will be thoroughly investigated, and that the victims and their families are supported and consoled."

"We are one with the families of the victims and the Filipino community in Vancouver during this difficult time," he added.