Two people have died within days of each other after being struck or run over by parade floats during huge Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans.

The first victim was a woman who was killed on Wednesday after another tandem float rolled over her as she was trying to “reach for beads”, said police.

Geraldine Carmouche, 58, was the first person to die in a parade-related incident in the region since 2009, when a 23-year-old rider fell from a float and was run over by its front wheels in Carencro, about 120 miles west of New Orleans.

On Saturday, a man was hit and killed by a tandem float, which consist of multiple floats attached to one another and pulled by a tractor.

The parades are organised by social clubs referred to as “krewes” or “super krewes”, with the latter known for holding larger events involving celebrity grand marshals.

Best pictures from Mardi Gras 2019 Show all 25 1 /25 Best pictures from Mardi Gras 2019 Best pictures from Mardi Gras 2019 mardi-gras-19.jpg *** BESTPIX *** NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 05: Members of the Krewe Of Saint Anne march down Royal Street Mardi Gras Day on March 05, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Mardi Gras, also called Shrove Tuesday, Carnival Tuesday or Pancake Tuesday, is associated with Carnival celebrations in New Orleans, Rio de Janeiro and around the world. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) Getty Best pictures from Mardi Gras 2019 mardi-gras-22.jpg NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 05: Revelers walk down Bourbon St. Mardi Gras Day on March 05, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) Getty Best pictures from Mardi Gras 2019 mardi-gras-30.jpg epa07415711 A member of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club marches during Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, on 05 March 2019. Fat Tuesday marks the last day of Mardi Gras before the beginning of Lent. EPA/DAN ANDERSON EPA Best pictures from Mardi Gras 2019 mardi-gras-18.jpg NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 05: Members of the Krewe Of Saint Anne march down Royal Street Mardi Gras Day on March 05, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Mardi Gras, also called Shrove Tuesday, Carnival Tuesday or Pancake Tuesday, is associated with Carnival celebrations in New Orleans, Rio de Janeiro and around the world. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) Getty Best pictures from Mardi Gras 2019 mardi-gras-24.jpg The full band opens with Treme Song by John Boutte at the Athens Mardi Gras Masquerade Tuesday, March 5, 2019, in Athens, Ga. (Joshua L. Jones/Athens Banner-Herald via AP) AP Best pictures from Mardi Gras 2019 mardi-gras-21.jpg epa07416174 Jennifer Jones dances in the French Quarter during Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, 05 March 2019. Fat Tuesday marks the last day of Mardi Gras before the beginning of Lent. EPA/DAN ANDERSON EPA Best pictures from Mardi Gras 2019 mardi-gras-20.jpg NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 05: Rex King of Carnival waves to his subjects Mardi Gras Day on March 05, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) Getty Best pictures from Mardi Gras 2019 mardis-grass.jpg People participate in the annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade in Sydney on March 2, 2019. - Thousands of revellers took part in the iconic festival which celebrates sexual equality in the heart of Australia's biggest city. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Best pictures from Mardi Gras 2019 mardia-gros.jpg A Masquerade attendee wait for drinks at the Athens Mardi Gras Masquerade Tuesday, March 5, 2019, in Athens, Ga. (Joshua L. Jones/Athens Banner-Herald via AP) AP Best pictures from Mardi Gras 2019 mardi-gras-13.jpg epa07413905 People fill Bourbon Street in the French Quarter during Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, 04 March 2019. EPA/DAN ANDERSON EPA Best pictures from Mardi Gras 2019 mardi-gras-1.jpg epaselect epa07411883 A float rider with the Krewe of Thoth throws beads to the crowd during Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, 03 March 2019. EPA/DAN ANDERSON EPA Best pictures from Mardi Gras 2019 mardi-gras-31.jpg epa07415712 A member of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club hands beads to the crowd while marches during Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, on 05 March 2019. Fat Tuesday marks the last day of Mardi Gras before the beginning of Lent. EPA/DAN ANDERSON EPA Best pictures from Mardi Gras 2019 mardi-gras-12.jpg A group called Dykes on Bikes leads the annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in Sydney, Saturday, March 2, 2019. The 41rst parade features almost 200 floats. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft) AP Best pictures from Mardi Gras 2019 mardi-gras-27.jpg epa07415707 A member of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club holds a coconut referencing the missed call' during the 2019 NFC Championship as he marches during Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, on 05 March 2019. Fat Tuesday marks the last day of Mardi Gras before the beginning of Lent. EPA/DAN ANDERSON EPA Best pictures from Mardi Gras 2019 mardi-gras-0.jpg TOPSHOT - People participate in the annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade in Sydney on March 2, 2019. - Thousands of revellers took part in the iconic festival which celebrates sexual equality in the heart of Australia's biggest city. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Best pictures from Mardi Gras 2019 mardi-gras-26.jpg NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 05: Revelers dance in the streets of the Marigny Mardi Gras Day on March 05, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Mardi Gras, also called Shrove Tuesday, Carnival Tuesday or Pancake Tuesday, is associated with Carnival celebrations in New Orleans, Rio de Janeiro and around the world. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) Getty Best pictures from Mardi Gras 2019 mardi-gras-23.jpg Masquerade goers show off their costumes at the Athens Mardi Gras Masquerade Tuesday, March 5, 2019, in Athens, Ga. (Joshua L. Jones/Athens Banner-Herald via AP) AP Best pictures from Mardi Gras 2019 mardi-gras-32.jpg NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 05: A reveler sits on the Mississippi river as he prepares himself for Mardi Gras Day on March 05, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Mardi Gras, also called Shrove Tuesday, Carnival Tuesday or Pancake Tuesday, is associated with Carnival celebrations in New Orleans, Rio de Janeiro and around the world. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) Getty Best pictures from Mardi Gras 2019 mardi-gras-16.jpg NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 05: A revelers dances in the Marigny Mardi Gras Day on March 05, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Mardi Gras, also called Shrove Tuesday, Carnival Tuesday or Pancake Tuesday, is associated with Carnival celebrations in New Orleans, Rio de Janeiro and around the world. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) Getty Best pictures from Mardi Gras 2019 mardi-gras-15.jpg Bacchus LI, actor Jensen Ackles, throws to the crowd as the 1,600 men of Bacchus present their 32-float Mardi Gras parade entitled "Starring Louisiana" on the Uptown route in New Orleans on Sunday, March 3, 2019. (Michael DeMocker/The Times-Picayune via AP) AP Best pictures from Mardi Gras 2019 mardi-gras-14.jpg The Leviathan float turns onto St. Charles Avenue as the 1,400 men and women of the Krewe of Orpheus present a 38-float Mardi Gras parade entitled "The Orpheus Imaginarium" on the Uptown parade route in New Orleans on Monday, March 4, 2019. (Michael DeMocker/The Times-Picayune via AP) AP Best pictures from Mardi Gras 2019 mardi-gras-11.jpg epaselect epa07412298 Crowds yell for beads as the Krewe of Bacchus rolls through the streets during Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, 03 March 2019. EPA/DAN ANDERSON EPA Best pictures from Mardi Gras 2019 mardi-gras-10.jpg The giant train float Smokey Mary chugs down Napoleon Avenue as the 1,400 men and women of the Krewe of Orpheus present a 38-float Mardi Gras parade entitled "The Orpheus Imaginarium" on the Uptown parade route in New Orleans on Monday, March 4, 2019. (Michael DeMocker/The Times-Picayune via AP) AP Best pictures from Mardi Gras 2019 mardi-gras-9.jpg epa07414089 A float in the Krewe of Proteus rolls down the street during Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, 04 March 2019. EPA/DAN ANDERSON EPA Best pictures from Mardi Gras 2019 mardi-gras-4.jpg The Krewe of Iris parade makes its way along the Uptown route in New Orleans on Saturday, March 2, 2019. Iris was founded in 1917, and is the oldest all-female krewe in New Orleans. (Brett Duke/NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune via AP) AP

Carmouche was killed during a parade organised by the Krewe of NYX. The club’s captain, Julie Lea, said in a statement: “On such a joyous night, this is obviously a tragic occurrence.

“The parade takes a backseat when something like this happens on the route. On behalf of the entire Krewe of NYX. Along with the City of New Orleans, we offer our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of the individual involved.”

The second victim, who was not named, died on Saturday in a parade organised by the Krewe of Enydmion, one of the most popular events in the lead-up to Mardi Gras.

According to local news site NOLA, witnesses said the man slipped under the float while attempting to catch a string of beads thrown from the float, and was crushed underneath.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell said in a statement: “To be confronted with such a tragedy a second time at the height of our Carnival celebrations seems an unimaginable burden to bear. The Cityt and the people of New Orleans will come together, we will grieve together, and we will persevere together.

"Our hearts break for those lost and for their loved ones, and our prayers and deepest sympathies are with them – and will be with them in all the days and months ahead.

“May our people take this moment to uplift our brothers and sisters, to mourn as one and to move forward, together.”

The most recent fatality prompted New Orleans’ emergency response team to ban the use of tandem floats for the rest of the carnival, which spans over two weeks before the beginning of lent.