At least one person has died after a car drove into pedestrians in New York's Times Square on Thursday.

At least 19 people have been injured following the incident at the popular tourist hotspot.  Pictures showed what appeared to be a young woman lying dead on the ground with a sheet over her face.  The victim has not been identified.

Police have sealed off the area and arrested the driver, reported to be a hispanic male aged 26 from the Bronx. Reuters said it did not appear to be an act of terrorism. 

Photos showed people lying injured on the sidewalk being tended to by pedestrians and emergency responders, with several being taken away on stretchers.

In another picture a red Honda was seen lying partially on its side with smoke coming out of the bonnet.  

According to the BBC, the vehicle jumped the kerb at 7th Avenue and 45th St close to the iconic landmark and one of New York City's most popular tourist destinations.  

Witnesses described seeing the motorist driving the wrong way up 7th Avenue before mounting the sidewalk and colliding with pedestrians.

The AP reports that the 26-year-old driver has a previous history of driving under the influence and was reportedly being tested by law enforcement for alcohol following today's incident. 

'Just witnessed a car running people over in times square. scariest moment of my life. what is wrong with some people?!' wrote Twitter user Michael Rickerby, according to the New York Post.