City spokesman Grant Brown tells The Associated Press that the band had just entered the parade route Tuesday morning when a car behind the group lurched forward into the group.
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Brown says the vehicle struck multiple people, injuring 11 in all. Details on the most severe injuries weren't immediately available.
At least 8 injured by car at Gulf Shores, Alabama Mardi Gras parade
Brown says there is no indication the crash was anything other than what he calls a "horrific accident." Brown says he's not sure whether the band was from a school in Gulf Shores or elsewhere.
Video and photos from the scene show emergency workers helping the injured on the main highway running toward the beach.
Thousands of people are expected to throng the streets for Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans.
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Fat Tuesday is the culmination of the city and region's Carnival season.
Some of the biggest parades will take place along the St. Charles Avenue parade route.
Families, tourists and locals generally set up their chairs and ladders early to get a good seat for catching the trinkets thrown by riders on the floats.
In another part of the city, people dressed in elaborate costumes will take part in the St. Anne's parade, an eclectic walking parade.
At the stroke of midnight, police on horseback will do a ceremonial clearing of revelers on Bourbon Street to mark the formal end of the Mardi Gras season before Lent begins Wednesday.