Tragedy strikes #SXSW convention as car crashes through barricade, killing 2 and injuring 23

One moment I'm photographing a magical show the next, I'm photographing a horrible and sad scene. #sxsw

— Colin Kerrigan (@colinkerrigan) March 13, 2014

The annual South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas, has been marred terribly by multiple fatalities after a car crashed through a barricade in front of a popular music venue and ran through a crowd of attendees. Two were reported deceased on the scene, with 23 injuries, including 5 critical. Many eyewitnesses tweeted their horror soon afterward:

holy fucking shit a car just sped up Red River through crowds of people

— rande (@rande) March 13, 2014

Multiple ATCEMS units onscene @ Red River/ E 10th; Report of 13 pt's from Auto v Pededstrian w/ 2 DOS fatalities & 1 CPR in progress MTF…

— ATCEMS (@ATCEMS) March 13, 2014

I'm witnessing one of the darkest things I've ever seen right now. Tragedy at SXSW. Outside the X show at Mohawk.

— Rhett Miller (@rhettmiller) March 13, 2014

@rande did that really just happen

— Old Flame Records (@OldFlameRecords) March 13, 2014

Scene outside of #Mohawk, where a car hit a group of folks. Mohawk evacuated. #sxsw pic.twitter.com/DGAx7guwHT

— David Saleh Rauf (@davidSrauf) March 13, 2014

I'm witnessing one of the darkest things I've ever seen right now. Tragedy at SXSW. Outside the X show at Mohawk.

— Rhett Miller (@rhettmiller) March 13, 2014

23 individuals have been transported. Of those 5 are in critical condition, 2 deceased. #SXSW

— Austin Police Dept (@Austin_Police) March 13, 2014

Photos from the scene of #SXSW accident. pic.twitter.com/FU7YyjEDg7

— Sam Africano (@MotivePics) March 13, 2014

Reports are mixed, but it appears that police were chasing the driver before the accident, and he has been apprehended:

Chief Acevedo: two capital murder charges set to be filed against driver who hit folks outside of #mohawk. #sxsw

— David Saleh Rauf (@davidSrauf) March 13, 2014

Chief Acevedo: driver hit moped, a taxi and then a van before fleeing on foot and getting tased. #mohawk #sxsw

— David Saleh Rauf (@davidSrauf) March 13, 2014

Our hearts go out to everyone who was hurt.