Woman killed by St. Patrick's Day parade float in Louisville

A St. Patrick's Day float struck and killed a woman in Kentucky after the victim's foot got caught in one of the procession vehicles and pulled her into harm's way, authorities said Sunday.

The tragic accident unfolded in Louisville at about 4 p.m. ET Saturday on the parade route on Bardstown Road near Grinstead Drive, Louisville Metro police said in a statement.

The woman, believed to be in her 50s, was walking along one side of the parade when "for some unknown reason her foot got caught by the float causing her to fall and she got caught under the vehicle and was struck," police said.

The float stopped and medical first responders rushed her to University Hospital, where she died shortly after she arrived, police added.

The police department's traffic unit is investigating.

"I am so sorry to hear about the tragic accident that took a woman’s life at today’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade," Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said in a statement.

"Please join Rachel and me in keeping her family and friends in your prayers. May her memory be a blessing."

Representatives for the Jefferson County Coroner's Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.

The Hibernian Cultural and Charitable Association of Louisville, organizers of Saturday's parade, said it's "deeply saddened by the tragic accident."

"Its members hearts and prayers are with the family, and all impacted by the incident," the group said in a statement. "It encourages everyone to likewise keep those impacted in their thoughts and to respect the privacy of the family of the deceased."