Toddler among four people killed as car swerves onto pavement in Berlin

Police believe driver may have suffered medical episode

Four people were killed after a car veered on to a pavement in the Mitte district of Berlin, Germany, 6 September 2019. (Paul Zinken/dpa via AP)

Police are investigating whether a health issue caused a driver to veer onto a pavement in Berlin, killing four people including a young child.

Officers in the German capital said a three-year-old boy, a 64-year-old woman and two men in their late 20s died after the man lost control of a Porsche SUV.

Three people were also seriously injured during the incident in Berlin’s central Mitte district at about 7pm on Friday.

Police said a blood sample was taken from the 42-year-old driver of the SUV and he was treated in hospital for head injuries.

He had two passengers in the vehicle, a 67-year-old woman and a six-year-old girl.

Berlin police said on Saturday: “Initial indications that a medical emergency involving the driver could have been the cause, as well as all other witness statements, information and evidence, are part of the investigation.”

The force asked members of the public to “refrain from speculation in consideration of the relatives”.

Mourners gathered at the scene of the crash on Saturday to lay floral tributes and pay their respects to the victims.

Associated Press contributed to this report