Three people have died after a car appeared ‘completely out the blue’ and smashed into pedestrians in a coastal Welsh town packed with school holiday crowds. 

Police and paramedics rushed to Beaumaris seafront on Anglesey shortly after 2.45pm today to reports that a driver had become unwell before hitting pedestrians. 

Shocked locals said the people were mown down by an Audi A5 which had swerved to avoid a horse-drawn carriage before hitting a house close to Beaumaris pier.

Later an elderly man believed to be the driver was seen being escorted away by police in the back of a patrol car.

‘The Audi seemed to come out of nowhere,’ one local said.

Emergency services at the scene on Alma Street in Beaumaris on Anglesey, where three people died in a horror crash 

Pictured: The crashed Audi which hit the three people and then careered into a house on Alma Street in Beaumaris

The car is said to have struck the pedestrians as it swerved to avoid a horse-drawn carriage

Police at the scene in the Beaumaris Pier area today following the fatal crash 

‘It swerved to go around a horse and carriage, mounted the pavement and hit pedestrians who were walking past a house – they didn’t stand a chance.

‘There are people standing around in shock, they can’t believe what has happened.’

Another witness said she watched ‘people trying very, very hard to do CPR’.

‘It was just awful, the ambulance took ages to get here and when the police and the vehicles eventually came… there was nothing they could do once they got here.

‘(The vehicle) was so mangled. It’s so mangled it’s not true.

‘Everybody really rallied around, diverting the traffic and trying their best to give the people dignity, but it was pretty horrific.’

She added: ‘The town is absolutely full of tourists and people walk down that street. It’s just a beautiful, beautiful place.’

Witness Keith Shed also posted on social media: ‘It happened right in front of us on the road beside the pier.

‘It’s an utter tragedy for those directly affected by the crash. 

‘No warning, it happened completely out of the blue.’

Beaumaris on the Menai Strait is popular with families visiting Anglesey with many of them drawn to Edward I’s unfinished 14th century castle.

The town has been particularly busy over the past six weeks with school holiday crowds.  

Officers have cordoned off the area while they conduct investigations 

An air ambulance is seen taking off after the horror crash on the seafront in North Wales

Local MP Llinos Medi posted online: ‘Devastating news from Beaumaris. I am thinking of everyone who has been affected today. 

‘The news has shaken our community here on the island. A heartfelt thank you to all the emergency services and volunteers who are responding to the emergency.’

Virginia Crosbie, former Conservative MP for Ynys Mon, added in a statement on Facebook: ‘My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, their families and loved ones.’

Rhun ap Iorwerth, leader of Plaid Cymru, said in a statement on X: ‘This is devastating news and my condolences are with those involved and their loved ones.

‘I ask anyone who has any information to assist the police in their investigation to come forward.

‘I am grateful to all the emergency services for their quick response. Diolch.’

The Archbishop of Wales, Andrew John, and the Bishop of Bardsey, David Morris, issued a joint statement offering ‘our sympathy and prayers to all who have been involved in today’s car accident’.

They said: ‘This is devastating news for the community and for the friends and family of the three people who have sadly died.’

The horror crash happened on the seafront at Beaumaris on Anglesey

Police and paramedics rushed to Beaumaris seafront on Anglesey shortly after 2.45pm today

Police have launched an investigation into the crash and have urged people to avoid the area around the scene on Alma Street.  

Chief Inspector Caroline Mullen-Hurst said: ‘Sadly, we can confirm that three people have been fatally injured in the incident.

‘We are appealing to anybody who witnessed the incident that hasn’t already spoken to officers, or anybody who might have dashcam footage, to please get in touch.’

Witnesses can make contact via the North Wales Police website or by calling 101 and using reference number Q129825.

MailOnline has contacted North Wales Police for further comment.