British man among dead in New Orleans car attack

A British national was among at least 14 people killed in a car attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day, the Foreign Office has confirmed.

The Metropolitan Police named him as 31-year-old Edward Pettyfer from Chelsea, London.

In a statement, the US Department of Foreign Affairs and Development said it supports the victim’s family.

During the attack, a man drove a pickup truck through a crowd on Bourbon Street before being killed by police.

The New Orleans coroner gave the preliminary cause of Mr. Pettyfer’s death as “blunt force trauma” sustained on Bourbon Street, the PA reported.

A statement from Mr. Pettifer’s family said: “The entire family is devastated by the tragic news of Ed’s passing in New Orleans. He was a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew and friend to many.

“We will all miss him terribly. Our thoughts are with the other families who have lost their families to this horrific attack. We ask that we may grieve the loss of Ed as a family in private. Thank you.”

A famous American college football player, a young aspiring nurse and The mother of a four-year-old child is also among the victims.

Their names were released by families and relatives before US authorities completed post-mortem examinations.

A 42-year-old Texas resident and US Army veteran is believed to have carried out the attack.

After driving the truck through the crowd, the suspect is said to have gotten out and fired a weapon before being shot dead by police.

The FBI reports that an Islamic State flag was found inside the vehicle.

According to the police, two improvised explosive devices were found nearby.

The suspect, identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, It is assumed that he acted alone in a “deliberate and malicious act,” the FBI said.

At least 39 people were injured in the attack, which took place in the city’s French Quarter – a busy nightlife spot popular with locals and tourists – around 03:15 (09:15 GMT) on Wednesday.

Some of the wounded have been discharged from the hospital, but more than a dozen remain, some are being treated in the intensive care unit.

Bourbon Street was opened to the public Thursday morning ahead of the Sugar Bowl, a highly anticipated football game between Notre Dame and the University of Georgia that draws thousands of visitors.