Reports of a gunman in Manhattan

A vehicle has veered off the road and crashed into several pedestrians and cyclists in Manhattan and a number of people have been shot.

CNN is reporting "multiple casualities".

The current time in New York is about 3.45pm and the streets are busy with children returning from school.

According to witnesses, a man in a box truck veered off the road and struck the victims. The unidentified suspect was later taken into custody.

Several pedestrians and bicyclists were run down by the vehicle in Lower Manhattan.

There were also multiple reports of gunfire in the area after the crash - it was unclear if these reports are related.

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission.