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A 32-year-old woman was killed by a van driver said to have deliberately driven at adults and children in west Cardiff, it was confirmed tonight.

The driver hit 13 people at five or six different sites in Ely and Canton between 3 and 4pm today.

Police told a press conference that four adults and seven children were still being treated at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, a 13th casualty went to hospital of their own accord.

The woman killed was being named locally as Karina Menzies, aged 32, a mum of three.

Click here: Tributes paid to Karina Menzies across Cardiff

Officers thanked all the members of the public who alerted them to a man in a white van randomly targeting pedestrians, including children, in Ely and Canton, this afternoon.

Superintendent Williams said family members of the 32-year-old woman who died have been informed.

"Our thoughts are obviously with her family. Our family liaison officers are with the family at the moment, and obviously they've been informed," he said.

Mr Williams said he could not give updates on the condition, age or sex of the injured.

Mr Williams also told reporters: "Whether the actions were deliberate or reckless is a matter for the inquiry and the person will obviously be spoken to."

The dead woman is believed to have been hit in Ely with her three children. Her children were injured in the collision at the Fire Station on Cowbridge Road West but are understood to have survived.

Another woman with a younger girl was hit at a zebra crossing on Grand Avenue, in Ely, immediately after the collision at the Fire Station on Cowbridge Road West.

A family of three were hit by the van, and the mother and two-year-old daughter taken to hospital.

Adam and Annie Lewis were pushing their daughter, Amelia-May, in her pram when they were hit by the van.

Mother and daughter are now in hospital, although their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Adam Lewis's grandmother, Maureen Lewis, said: "One of my grandson's friends then came running up the road with Amelia's pram which was badly damaged. I was so shocked - she had cuts to her face but she will be fine."

More eyewitness reports are included in the live blog below. Eyewitness have said pedestrians were deliberately targeted by someone driving a van.

Police said the collisions happened in Crossways Road, Cowbridge Road West, Grand Avenue, and Sloper Road.

It was confirmed that the accident and emergency department at the University Hospital of Wales had closed to the public in order to deal with the emergency but was re-opened at 7pm.

All normal admissions were diverted to Newport.

The horrific scenes at Asda in Leckwith were witnessed by Peter Hain's wife Dr Elizabeth Haywood, who describes them here

Pictures of the aftermath of the hit and runs are being uploaded here

A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "The Welsh Ambulance Service has responded to a number of road traffic collisions in the Ely and Leckwith areas of Cardiff this afternoon.

"Eight emergency ambulances, five rapid response vehicles, four ambulance officers, two basics doctors and one Helimed attended several calls along Crossways Road, Cowbridge Road West, Grand Avenue, and Sloper Road.

"Twelve casualties, including adults and children, have been taken to the University Hospital of Wales with various injuries, some serious.

"The A&E Dept at UHW has been closed to anything other than casualties related to these incidents.

"In the meantime, the ambulance service is liaising with hospitals in the region including The Royal Gwent and The Royal Glamorgan to convey emergency patients."

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The city's former Lord Mayor Jacqui Gasson said: "I have never seen so many police cars and ambulances in my life.

"It is like a scene from CSI. There is police tape everywhere."

See a video interview with witness Tony McGuinness here.

More pictures: Police press conference this evening

A police spokeswoman said a man had been arrested "following a number of road traffic collisions in the Ely and Leckwith areas".

She said: "A 31-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident and a van has been seized.

"There are 11 confirmed casualties including adults and children who have been taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.

"Their ages and conditions are yet to be confirmed.

"Officers are currently in attendance at a number of locations including Crossways Road, Cowbridge Road West, Grand Avenue, and Sloper Road.

"Motorists are advised to avoid the area."

Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay confirmed his players would wear armbands during their Championship clash with Nottingham Forest in commemoration of the tragic events in the city, while a plea from NHS Wales has been made for blood donors. Those who can donate this weekend should ring 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.blood.co.uk

Follow our live updates from our team in Cardiff