Detectives investigating a hit-and-run rampage in which a mother of a disabled child was killed are appealing for information about a mystery car seen driving on the wrong side of the road shortly before the crashes.
Karina Menzies, 32, was killed yesterday and 14 people were injured when a driver brought terror to roads in Cardiff.
As it emerged today that Ms Menzies' child is on a "dream holiday" in Florida and does not know of the tragedy, police revealed new details of the investigation.
Mum Karina Menzies was killed by the hit-and-run driver
Police are continuing to question a 31-year-old man on suspicion of her murder as well as investigating reports that he deliberately knocked people down in the Welsh capital with a white Iveco van.
Detective Superintendent Paul Hurley confirmed reports that the suspect left his vehicle and physically assaulted people between the crashes and also carried a weapon.
The officer said: "We are aware the suspect assaulted people outside his vehicle," and he added police were "looking to identify and recover" the weapon.
Kevin Ellis, friend of Karina Menzies, 32, views the floral tributes outside the Fire Station for her
He said no firearm was involved and there was no suggestion anyone had been stabbed.
Mr Hurley urged witnesses to get in touch and asked for information about a black Renault Clio seen driving on the wrong side of the road of Western Avenue, not far from Cowbridge Road West, where one crash happened.
The horrific events began when police received calls about an incident in Crossways Road in Ely at 3.30pm.
This was soon followed by other reports of hit-and-run collisions in several locations in the west of the city, including Grand Avenue, Cowbridge Road West and the Leckwith Retail Park.
There was no full registration details for the Clio but officers said it carried on 05 plate.
Fourteen people were injured in the crashes, nine remain in hospital.
Detective Superintendent Paul Hurley (left) and Superintendent Julian Williams give a press conference at Cardiff central police station following the rampage
Five are children and two adults remain in a critical condition.
Seventy officers are working on the investigation.
Floral tributes were laid at the scene where Ms Menzies was killed.
Among those paying their respects this morning was local Labour MP Kevin Brennan.
He said: "It's absolutely shocking what has happened and the fact that someone has appeared to use a vehicle as a weapon.
"Karina was a well-liked mother who had three children.
"One of her children is disabled and is currently on a dream holiday in Florida.
"This incident is beyond senseless and has rocked the whole community."
Scores of tributes were also paid to Ms Menzies on social networking sites.
Facebook user Katy Johanna Benson wrote: "Rest in piece Karina Menzies. Sleep tight beautiful angel and may the scum responsible for this senseless, evil murder be brought to justice. Cant imagine what her family are feeling."
Marine Thomas wrote: "r.i.p karina i didnt know u personally but from what ive heard u were a fab mum and will be missed very much :( this is a cruel world we live in and its always the good ones that go first. sleep tight angel."
Ely sub-postmaster Shady Taha, 29, had just served two girls aged about 10 and a woman in her mid-20s moments before one of the hit-and-runs in Grand Avenue, immediately outside a row of shops.
He said: "All of a sudden I heard a bang.
"I looked out and across the road one girl was on the floor and the other girl was screaming.
"I heard a van speed off but I did not see it."
Lynda Paterson, who lives in Cowbridge Road West, described the scene outside her house as chaotic.
"I was going to pick my children up from school and I could see there were police and someone was lying on the floor, on the pavement," she added.
"I could see police running back and forth along the road and I now know a child had been hit."
Other eyewitnesses said pedestrians were deliberately targeted by someone driving a white van.
"We had a customer in our shop who said the van mounted the kerb like the driver wanted to run down young kids with their parents," a female shop worker in Grand Avenue, who did not want to be named, said.
The A&E department at the University Hospital of Wales was initially shut to anyone not involved in the incident but has now reopened.
Dr Grahame Shortland, medical director at the hospital, said those being treated mostly had fractures and head injuries.
The crime scenes included Ely fire station, an area near the Merrie Harrier pub in Llandough on the outskirts of Cardiff, where the suspect was arrested, and Leckwith Retail Park - next to the Cardiff City Stadium.
Superintendent Julian Williams said: "This is a tragic incident that has affected a large number of people, and we thank the people of Cardiff for their help and support.
"Incidents like this are extremely rare here, as they are across South Wales, and we want to reassure the public that a significant number of officers are working on the investigation, including a number of specialist resources.
"Whether the actions were deliberate or reckless is a matter for the inquiry and the person will obviously be spoken to."
Anyone with any information about the incidents is urged to contact police on 01656 655555.
It is believed the suspect used a crook lock to assault witnesses.
There were also unconfirmed reports that officers were investigating whether the attacker was involved in a domestic incident before the rampage.
A key part of the inquiry is focused on establishing who owns the white van.
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