Members of a "dancing grannies" group are among the dead and injured after a car ploughed into a Christmas parade and killed five people on Sunday.
Crowds had gathered in Waukesha, Wisconsin for the festive event when the horror unfolded.
More than 40 people were injured as the red SUV careered into families who had lined the streets.
The Milwaukee Dancing Grannies, a troupe of women aged 50 to 70-plus, wrote on Facebook today confirming several “grannies” had died.
The post read: "Those who died were extremely passionate Grannies.
"Their eyes gleamed.....joy of being a Grannie. They were the glue....held us together.”
It added that performing in front of parades filled the grannies with “joy and happiness”.
The Milwaukee Dancing Grannies is a “choreographed dance/pompom group” and were formed in 1984, according to its website.
They perform at about 25 parades every year.
Among the injured from last night's tragedy are members of a youth dancing troupe, The Waukesha Xtreme Dance Team.
Witnesses have told local news about a dance team of young girls "between nine and 15-years-old" who may have been hit by the car.
One witness said as many as 20 members of the team had been struck by the vehicle, a Fox 6 Now reporter said.
Corey Montiho, a School District of Waukesha board member, said that his daughter was on a dance team that was hit, but it is currently unclear if he was referring to a different one.
He told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: "There were pom-poms and shoes and spilled hot chocolate everywhere.
“I had to go from one crumpled body to the other to find my daughter. My wife and two daughters were almost hit."
Details of their condition have yet to be released, but the team has thanked those who checked in.
Late last night the Waukesha Xtreme Dance Team posted on Facebook : “Thank you for everyone who has reached out checking on the safety of Xtreme Dance Team members and their families.
“At this time, we ask that the media and those reaching out, give us and our families time and privacy to process the tragic events of this evening.”
Children’s Wisconsin reported they had received 15 patients by 8pm on Sunday.
The Catholic Community of Waukesha has also confirmed on Facebook that “several parishioners” had been injured.
In a statement, Archdiocese of Milwaukee spokesperson Sandra Peterson said a Catholic priest, and Waukesha Catholic schoolchildren were among those injured.
“Please join us in prayer for all those involved, their families, and those who are traumatised from witnessing the horrible scene.”
Chief of Waukesha Police Dan Thompson said a "person of interest" is in custody.
US media have since identified him as 38-year-old Darrell Brooks Jr.
Reports say he has a number of convictions and had been bailed from prison just two days prior.
It is also said that he raps under the name MathBoi Fly - and a similar vehicle to that involved in the incident can be seen in one video.
A motive is yet to be disclosed.
City officials have so far confirmed that five people died in the tragedy - but admitted the numbers "may change".
A Twitter post said: "At this time, we can confirm that 5 people are deceased and over 40 are injured.
"However, these numbers may change as we collect additional information.
"Many people have self-transported to area hospitals. The Police Department has the person of interest in custody."
It is not thought the incident was related to terrorism "at this time", reports say.
