Several injured in accident at Gulf Shores Mardi Gras Parade

Twelve band members transported to hospitals, three in critical condition

By Crystal Cole
Posted 2/28/17

The Gulf Shores Mardi Gras Parade has been cancelled today after a car accident injured several of the participants before the parade began.

Gulf Shores spokesman Grant Brown said an SUV that was …

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Several injured in accident at Gulf Shores Mardi Gras Parade

Twelve band members transported to hospitals, three in critical condition

Posted

The Gulf Shores Mardi Gras Parade has been cancelled today after a car accident injured several of the participants before the parade began.

Gulf Shores spokesman Grant Brown said an SUV that was part of the parade but not pulling a float ran into a group of several teenagers in the Gulf Shores High Band that were lining up to get into position on the parade route near the intersection of Highway 59 and Clubhouse Drive.

Brown said there was no suspicion of foul play and the incident is believed to be an accident at this time.

Twelve students were transported to three area hospitals. Three of those are reportedly in critical condition.

Eyewitnesses say an older man was behind the wheel of the van, which was also lined up as part of the parade.

Brown said the city knows who the driver is, but has no word on whether he has been released.

Spectators rushed in to help pull out band members who were underneath the van. It is unknown at this time if the driver had suffered a medical emergency. There has been no report of his condition.

The intersection at Highway 59 and Clubhouse Drive is still blocked off, so those traveling in the area are advised to take alternate routes.

Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon said for now the Orange Beach Mardi Gras Parade is moving forward as scheduled for now, but he said he would be in talks with some of the local Mardi Gras associations to see if they want to move forward.

“It’s not an easy decision to make,” Kennon said. “I have to think about how I would feel as one of those parents. First of all, I would be at the hospital. It’s hard to know whether we should cancel our parade out of respect, but you don’t want the world to shut down after an event like this, so it’s not easy.”

Kennon said a decision would be made on the matter over the next few hours.

Kennon spoke with Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft who supported his decision to move forward with their parade.

"This is a tribute to the kids," Kennon said. "We want everyone to know that we are with them in prayer and that everything is going to be okay."

Gulf Coast Media will have further updates on this story as it develops.