Car rams into pedestrians 'killing 1 and injuring 20'

A car has rammed into pedestrians in New York City's busy Times Square, with reports at least one person has died and up to 20 are injured.

Witnesses claimed a red sedan deliberately drove at pedestrians, knocking them over in the busy tourist hub.

Witnesses said the vehicle drove against traffic and on to the sidewalk. Thirteen people were injured, The New York Fire Department said.

But witnesses at the scene have claimed at least one person has died. The New York Police Department said it was not a terrorist attack, CBS reported. The NYPD closed off the area. The driver was removed from the vehicle after the rampage, CBS reported. A Police Department spokesman said the driver of the car had been taken into custody.

A maroon Honda Accord sat tilted on a bollard in Times Square, its right wheels off the ground on the north-west corner of 45th Street and Broadway. Its front hood was crumpled and its trunk was open. Detectives and investigators surrounded the car.

Annie Donahey tweeted: "A car just purposely sped onto the sidewalk in Times Square trying to hit people. "The girl who was walking next to me died." "If I would have waited to cross the street I'd probably be dead right now. "This didn't look like an accident.

"The driver was steering into people."At least one girl was dead on impact. "Lots of people on the ground covered in blood." Live traffic cameras showed an escalated emergency response in the area; at least five fire trucks blocked off the intersection immediately near the scene, and a line of police cars blocked off traffic near Times Square's TKTS booth. Press Secretary Sean Spicer tweeted that President Donald Trump had been made aware of the situation.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio arrived on the scene shortly after and are preparing to hold a briefing in Times Square.

New York Police Department officials said the incident did not appear to be linked to terrorism and that the suspected driver had prior convictions for drunk driving.

A man was seen being detained by several officers at the scene and led to a police vehicle.