NEW ORLEANS — Police say a 58-year-old woman was struck and killed by a Mardi Gras parade float in New Orleans on Wednesday evening.

The tragic incident occurred during the Krewe of Nyx parade. The victim, Geraldine Carmouche, was a relative of two of the members of the krewe, according to WWL-TV. 

Witnesses say Carmouche appeared to have tried to cross in between a tandem float when she tripped over its hitch and was run over, witnesses told news outlets. A tandem float has two sections that are connected in the middle.

“On such a joyous night, this is obviously a tragic occurrence,” Nyx Captain Julie Lea said in a statement. “On behalf of the entire Krewe of Nyx, along with the city of New Orleans, we offer our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of the individual involved.”

The accident involved float 21, New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson said at a news conference. The rest of the floats were not allowed to continue on the parade route and were diverted, he said.

The Mystic Krewe of Nyx is an all-female Carnival Krewe, “established to unite women of diverse backgrounds for fun, friendship, and the merriment of the Mardi Gras season,” according to its website.