The 16-year-old boy was driving a car on the wrong side of Bjurhovdagatan in central Västerås when he veered into a crowd of around 20 people waiting for a night bus shortly after midnight. The boy’s brother was a passenger in the car.

Västerås Central Hospital confirmed on Sunday morning that they had admitted 12 casualties who were being treated for a range of injuries. None of the 12 were reported to be have suffered serious injuries.

Ivan Åslund at Västmanland police confirmed that several of the injured parties had sustained fractures to the legs and the arms. Others sustained grazes, scrapes and broken ribs.

“The most seriously injured was a person that had a crushed foot and someone had several ribs broken,” Åslund said.

Åslund said that it was pure luck that fatalities had been avoided.

Police have found tyre marks at the scene but they were unable to determine the speed at which the car was driving.

“But is seems that they were driving fast,” Åslund said.

Åslund said that the boy at first fled the scene but then returned and was said to be suffering from shock and was scared. He is suspected of reckless driving, using a vehicle without lawful authority and causing bodily harm.

“He will be also be interviewed regarding the theft of a motor vehicle,” said Åslund and explained that the car belonged to a relative of the 16-year-old.

The boy’s brother was interviewed in his home as a witness to the crime. He is not suspected of any offence.

Ivan Åslund described the scene of the incident as “chaotic”. Several relatives and residents in the area had arrived at the scene by the time the police arrived.

The county’s crisis management team was working on Sunday to look after those that were in need of help and assistance.