A baby has died and at least 15 people have been injured after a car ploughed into a crowd at Rio's Copacabana beach.

Witnesses describe seeing injured people lying on the pavement, 12 of the victims have been taken to hospital.

The accident happened at 8:30pm local time on Thursday at the promenade along the Brazilian city's iconic waterfront.

Police say the driver lost control of his car, sped across the crowded walkway, before coming to a stop in the sand.

A 41-year-old man has been arrested.

Local media reports say he claims to have suffered an epileptic fit.

The promenade was busy at the time of the accident with people enjoying the warm summer evening.