Car ploughs through bike protest in Brazil

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Amazingly no-one was killed when a car accelerated through this bike protest in the Brazilian town of Porto Alegre on Friday night, mowing down dozens of cyclists.

The vehicle hit at least 20 protestors as it ploughed through the peaceful demonstration against the number of cars on the town's streets. Some reports said that nine people were hospitalised after the incident and that all were later discharged. Others claimed that 16 of the protestors were seriously injured.

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The Critical Mass events are held on the last Friday of every month in more than 300 countries around the world, including the UK. Their aim is to promote cycling as an alternative to motorised transport.

The driver of the car is said to be Ricardo Neis, a 47-year-old man who handed himself in to police on Monday. His damaged car was found abandoned on Saturday morning. According to his lawyer, Neis, who was travelling with his 15-year-old son, was caught up in the protest and became scared when some cyclists began banging on his windows. He said he accelerated to escape them.

A further protest organised in the wake of the shocking incident on Friday takes place in the town on 1 March.