Six children among seven killed in horror crash as car plunged into river when driver ‘tried to dodge teen cyclist’
SIX children were among seven family members killed in a horror crash when a car plunged into a river.
The driver lost control and careered off the road trying to dodge a teenage cyclist in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, witnesses said.
The six siblings have been named as Enzo Gabriel, two, Kemily Sophia, six, Phandora, eight, and Ana Laisa, four.
Two more victims, Brunna Vitória, three, and Erick, 12, were their cousins.
The car's driver Adilson, 45, who was a friend of the family, also died in the crash at 7.40pm on December 14.
Two teenagers, aged 18 and 13, who were in the car suffered minor injuries and were taken to the Hospital Ferreira Machado in Campos.
In total, nine people were in the car, reports.
According to the Rio de Janeiro State Fire Department, five children and the adult were found dead when rescue workers arrived on the scene.
The seventh victim, Ana Laisa, was initially reported missing, but her body was found on Tuesday morning, reports.
Firefighters removed the vehicle from the water with the help of the military this morning.
A relative said the driver was taking the children to spend the day at Lagoa de Cima, a popular attraction in the area.
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Erick's grandma, Rita de Cássia, said she was sleeping when her son - the child's dad - called her to give her the news.
The woman spoke of her pain as she had already lost a nephew - Erick's brother - in a separate incident in October.
Police are investigating the circumstances of the crash.