A 16-year-old boy who took his parents’ car without their permission has ploughed into a group of fans watching a World Cup match.
The teen was driving his parents’ Volkswagen Gol along the city’s main avenue when he reportedly lost control.
The vehicle mounted the pavement before ploughing into a group of around 20 Brazil fans outside a bar.
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The accident took place in Patrocínio in Minas Gerais State, Brazil, at around 4.30pm on Sunday (5 Jul).
The group was watching Brazil v Norway in the Round of 16.
CCTV footage showed the group sitting at a line of tables outside the bar as the Volkswagen suddenly crashed into them.
A man holding a child in his arms moved away in the nick of time.
Bystanders rushed forward and dragged the young driver from the car.
Some witnesses allegedly assaulted the teenager before the police arrived.
Four people were left injured, according to the Military Police.
A 40-year-old woman suffered an open fracture to her left leg, underwent surgery at the Santa Casa Hospital in Patrocínio and remains under observation.
A 30-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man received minor injuries and were treated at a local clinic before being discharged the same day.
A fourth person was also injured in the collision. Their age and health condition were not reported at the time of publication
The police detained the 16-year-old driver at the scene and took him to the civil police station in Patrocínio, as reported by Need To Know.
He told officers he had taken the car without his parents’ permission and claimed a mechanical failure caused him to lose control.
He was treated for injuries from the assault by bystanders and later released to a legal guardian.
The authorities have registered a report against him for negligent bodily injury in the operation of a motor vehicle.
The investigation continues.
Brazil lost the match 1-2 to Norway, who will now face England in the quarter-finals.
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