A member of Prince Harry and Meghan's Markle's security team has spoken out about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex "near catastrophic" car chase in New York on Tuesday evening.
According to Chris Sanchez, the alleged paparazzi chase was "very chaotic" and he claimed it could have been a potentially fatal situation for pedestrians, the Express reports.
Harry and Meghan left New York's Ziegfeld Ballroom on Tuesday with Meghan's mum Doria Ragland after the Duchess received a Women of Vision Award at the Ms Foundation's ceremony.
Mr Sanchez confirmed to CNN that the royal couple were then relentlessly followed by "about a dozen vehicles: cars, scooters and bicycles" in a crazy scene unlike anything he had ever dealt with before.
The security member said: "I have never seen, experienced anything like this. What we were dealing with was very chaotic. There were about a dozen vehicles: cars, scooters and bicycles."
He added that the situation also put members of the public "in jeopardy at several points" and that the high speed chase "could have been fatal" as the persistent drivers on their tails were allegedly "jumping curbs and red lights".
Sanchez added: "At one point they blocked the limousine (carrying the couple) and started taking pictures until we were able to get out".
He concluded that after the terrifying experience, the Sussexes' were left "scared, exhausted, but relieved to be back".
The New York Police Department said it helped Harry and Meghan's security team through the events but stated that there were "numerous photographers that made their transport challenging".
Julian Phillips, deputy commissioner for public information at the police department confirmed that the royal couple "arrived at their destination and there were no reported collisions, summonses, injuries, or arrests in regard".
Harry and Meghan's spokesperson acknowledged that "being a public figure comes with a level of interest from the public" but firmly said that "should never come at the cost of anyone’s safety".
The Sussexes' spokesperson said: "Last night, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Mrs Ragland were involved in a near catastrophic car chase at the hands of a ring of highly aggressive paparazzi.
"This relentless pursuit, lasting over two hours, resulted in multiple near collisions involving other drivers on the road, pedestrians and two NYPD (New York Police Department) officers.
"While being a public figure comes with a level of interest from the public, it should never come at the cost of anyone's safety."
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