A 50-year-old woman died after a tragic accident during a St. Patrick’s Day parade in Louisville, authorities confirmed.
Officials identified the victim as Joan Pannuti Pottinger, a mother of two. Police said she was walking alongside a parade float when her foot became caught, causing her to fall underneath the vehicle.
Emergency crews responded around 4 p.m., according to the Louisville Metro Police Department. The float stopped, and responders transported Pottinger to the hospital, where she was later pronounced dead at University of Louisville Hospital.
Authorities said it remains unclear how her foot became caught in the vehicle.
In the moments after the incident, parade-goers and volunteers rushed to help, though some initially did not realize the severity of the situation.
Pottinger was a member of the St. Agnes Church community and a parent at St. Agnes Catholic School. Shelton Fabre shared condolences, expressing sympathy for her husband, children, and the broader community.
Her husband, Tony Pottinger, described her as a devoted mother, wife, and friend who was deeply involved in volunteer work and charitable efforts.
Witnesses said the incident unfolded quickly. Some participants only realized something was wrong after floats behind them stopped moving.
Mayor Craig Greenberg also shared condolences, calling the incident a tragic accident and asking the community to keep the victim’s family in their thoughts.
A fundraiser has been created to support Pottinger’s family, drawing significant community support as the city mourns the loss.
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