An American tourist was killed instantly this evening after being struck by a runaway electric utility vehicle in Copenhagen’s central pedestrian area.
Police and city officials are at a loss to explain the cause of the accident, which they say occurred after an experienced city sanitation worker had parked the vehicle while on his rounds emptying rubbish bins on the Strøget walking street.
The police have now ordered all of the city’s electric utility vehicles taken out of service until the cause of the incident can be determined.
According to an inspector's initial report, a sensor in the driver's seat that disengages the vehicle's motor when it is unoccupied appears to have malfunctioned and caused the vehicle to accelerate.
Eyewitnesses reportedly described seeing the driverless vehicle lurch into motion and accelerate to a high speed.
The precise cause of death has yet to be determined, but police and medical officials on the scene expressed surprise that such a collision could be fatal.
Four other people were struck by the vehicle but received only superficial injuries.
The driver was taken to a local hospital where he is said to be receiving counselling.
