GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WATE) — Seven people were injured in a multi-car crash on the Parkway in Gatlinburg on Sunday.

According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, shortly after 4 p.m. a minivan that was traveling on the parkway suddenly accelerated, hitting a pedestrian in the crosswalk and several cars. THP said early indications suggest a medical emergency could have contributed to the crash.

Seven people were injured. Five of those people were in cars and two were pedestrians: the one hit by the minivan, and one who was injured by a street sign that fell over due to the crash.

The City of Gatlinburg said three people were airlifted to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, while three others were taken in ambulances. Anoop Harjani owns a gift shop on the parkway and came outside right after the crash. He described to 6 News what he saw.

"All the cars just mangled up and everything, trying to help the police officers get through all the traffic. Just people hurt, injured. People were just wanting to help as best as they could," he said.

Daniel Miller and his wife are visiting Gatlinburg from New Jersey. They could see the emergency response from their hotel.

"We were at our resort and we look out over the helipad and we saw a couple ambulances coming up after we heard the sirens, and they were up there transferring patients from the ambulances into the helicopter," he said.

People who work along the Parkway told 6 News they've never seen something like this happen in Gatlinburg. One said, "The sounds and images from it will haunt me for a long time."

Locals and tourists alike are hoping those involved will recover.

"I'm just praying for everybody to get through it and live and move past it," Harjani said.

"Pray to God that everybody's okay and winds up not being too much worse for the wear," Miller said.

The conditions of those injured is unknown at this time. A THP investigation remains ongoing.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/tennessee-news/locals-tourists-recall-major-gatlinburg-crash-that-injured-seven/