Two days after a stampede derailed the New York auditions for America’s Next Top Model, theories continue to fly as to what caused the chaos.

A clutch of the reality TV show’s hopefuls claim the crush, which put two people in hospital, began after an overheated car drove past the queue of aspiring models. One contestant reportedly saw the vehicle and shouted, “there’s a bomb”, causing the thousands of applicants to panic and surge away from the car.

Other reports say the 10,000 women assembled outside a midtown Manhattan hotel trampled one another after someone yelled “fire”.

Accounts from some contestants suggest a fight broke out and that as chaos ensued two men leapt from a car and grabbed at the contestant’s purses adding to the panic.

Model Tyra Banks, who hosts the show, was unable to throw any light on Saturday’s mayhem, which left shoes and clothes strewn across the pavement outside the Park Central New York hotel.

Yesterday, she released a joint statement with executive producer Ken Moke, saying: “We are concerned by the events that occurred Saturday afternoon in the vicinity of the New York City casting call for the next cycle of 'America's Next Top Model.

"At this time, we still don't know all the details of what happened or what triggered the incident. We appreciate the efforts of the NYPD and will assist them in any way possible in this matter," the statement said.

Three people were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and inciting a riot, while two were taken to hospital.

Police shut down the auditions, disappointing contestants who saw the 13th season’s focus on models under 5ft 7in as their only chance to make it in the fashion world.

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