Four children are among the 47 injured after a car ploughed into crowds during Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory parade.
Authorities have confirmed the incident is not being treated as terrorism, and the man in custody, a white British male from Liverpool, is believed to have been the driver of the vehicle.
The shocking collision occurred around 6pm on Monday on Water Street, where thousands of jubilant fans had gathered to celebrate Liverpool’s 20th league title.
Witnesses reported the car was travelling at 30mph and had been sounding its horn as it edged through the dense crowd before it suddenly accelerated, swerved, and mounted the pavement, striking numerous people over about 200 yards.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and 27 people, including four children, were taken to hospitals across the city. While another 20 individuals were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
According to reports, three adults and one child were trapped underneath the car, believed to be a grey Ford Galaxy registered in Chester, and had to be rescued by fire crews. A paramedic was also hit by the vehicle.
‘My thoughts are with all those injured in tonight’s horrific incident,’ said Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims of Merseyside Police, who confirmed the driver had been arrested.
‘This had been a joyous day in Liverpool with hundreds of thousands of people lining the streets to celebrate Liverpool Football Club’s parade. Sadly, at 6pm as the parade was drawing to a close, we received reports that a car was in collision with a number of pedestrians in Water Street.’
Emergency services rushed to the scene, and 27 people, including four children, were taken to hospitals across the city
Authorities say both Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper are being kept fully briefed on the developing situation
A ’53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area’ was swiftly detained by police
Authorities have confirmed the incident is not being treated as terrorism, and the man in custody, a white British male from Liverpool, is believed to have been the driver of the vehicle
Sims stressed the event is being treated as an isolated incident, and police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the crash
Sims stressed the event is being treated as an isolated incident, and police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the crash.
She urged the public not to speculate or spread misinformation online, and thanked emergency workers and bystanders who rushed to help the injured.
Witnesses described hearing the horrifying screams of victims and the sickening thud of bodies being flung over the bonnet as the car accelerated into the tightly packed crowd on the narrow street.
The vehicle accelerated veering right then left, travelling across the street mounting the pavement, hitting men, women and even a baby, witnesses said.
When the car eventually slowed to a stop, angry fans surged forward hitting it, throwing bottles, screaming ‘kill him’ as others attempted to lift the vehicle to rescue pedestrians trapped under the wheels.
Within seconds, the driver was dragged from his seat before police intervened.
The shocking incident took place only days after a run in one of the city’s parks to commemorate the lives of the Liverpool fans who died in the Hillsborough disaster in 1989.
Ninety-seven football fans were fatally injured in a terrace crush at an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on 15 April 1989.
A source told the Mail that the driver appeared to have ‘tailgated’ an ambulance down Water Street, which had been closed to traffic.
‘It looks as if he has panicked when he realised he was in the crowd and people began banging on his car,’ the insider said.
”Instead of going back the way he came he’s got angry and put his foot down, it’s absolutely devastating.’
‘We believe this to be an isolated incident and are not currently looking for anyone else. The incident is not being treated as terrorism.’
Dave Kitchin, head of North West Ambulance Service, confirmed the scale of the response: ‘Twenty-seven patients were taken to hospital, including four children. One of the children and another member of the public sustained serious injuries.’
He said several ambulances, plus hazard response teams, the air ambulance and senior clinicians arrived within minutes to treat the casualties.
Counter Terrorism Policing North West are assisting Merseyside Police in the investigation. His identity has not yet been released.
Witnesses described utter carnage as the vehicle drove through the narrow, packed street.
Fans were flung from the bonnet amid horrifying screams. As the car finally came to a halt, a furious crowd surrounded it, some screaming ‘kill him’ while others hurled bottles and attempted to lift the vehicle off trapped pedestrians.
One witness said: ‘It’s horrific. He must have run over about 20 to 30 people. I saw it and only survived because I got into a side street. The police dragged the (driver) out and arrested him straight away.’
Dramatic footage later emerged online showing the moment of impact and the frenzied aftermath, with people smashing the vehicle and police officers struggling to restrain the crowd.
Harry Rashid, 48, from Solihull, was at the parade with his wife and two young daughters. He told reporters: ‘It happened about 10 feet away from us.
‘This grey people carrier just pulled up from the right and just rammed into all the people at the side of us.
‘It was extremely fast. Initially, we just heard the pop, pop, pop of people just being knocked off the bonnet of a car.’
Jack Trotter was struck by the driver on Water Street, shortly after 6pm. He was out celebrating his team’s league title win during the club’s victory parade, before tragedy struck in the city centre
Police officers investigate the scene of an incident in Water Street, on the sidelines of an open-top bus victory parade for Liverpool’s Premier League title win
A large emergency service presence is pictured on Water Street during the Liverpool Trophy Parade
Pictured: The man who was driving the car in Liverpool
Another witness alleged that the driver may have been drunk after they claimed they saw them leave a nearby Hooters bar. This however does not appear to be correct as the vehicle seemingly came to a halt outside the bar.
Liverpool City Council Leader Liam Robinson said the crash had cast a ‘very dark shadow’ over what had been a joyful celebration.
‘I’d like to start by saying on behalf of everyone in Liverpool how much our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this appalling incident in the city centre.’
He praised the emergency services and NHS staff who responded quickly and are continuing to support the injured. ‘I would appeal for people please not to share the horrifying footage of the incident on social media – please if you have information forward it to Merseyside Police to help them with their investigation.’
‘Once again, our hearts go out to those affected. Liverpool is a city that has a proud history of coming together and supporting each other during challenging times. I’ve no doubt that will be the case over the coming days and weeks.’
Another bystander, Chelsea Yuen, said: ‘We were literally like sardines walking up the street and when we looked up, there was a black, people carrier, driving straight towards us.
‘Me and my friend Francesca jumped out the way and pulled her little girl out the way.’
Frankie, 24, who survived the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, was also caught in the incident.
She said: ‘I was at the Manchester Arena incident. I don’t want to go out again. The side of the car went into me and I fell to the floor. It’s all a blur. I’ve got cuts and bruises and I’ll be fine but there’s loads who have got more severe injuries.’
Robby Potter, one of the most seriously-injured people to survive the Manchester Arena bombing after being blasted through the heart with shrapnel told how he was ‘seconds’ down the street from the carnage.
The ‘shaking’ Liverpool fan, from Wirral, said police and officials should have been aware of the risk of a potential incident away from the parade route itself.
He said: ‘I was 10 seconds in front. I’m shaking. I said areas away from the main parade could be targets. I said this in interviews.’
Mr Potter said some of the crowd went back seeking to attack the driver.
Four people were seen being carried away on stretchers, while another man was pictured leaning heavily on a police officer for support.
Police officers cover area with an inflatable tent to preserve evidence
Police officers cover area with an inflatable tent to preserve evidence
Merseyside police insisted a ‘robust’ traffic management plan had been in place for the parade.
‘In the lead-up to this event we had been working closely with event organisers and a robust traffic management plan was put in place for the parade, which included a number of road closures throughout the route and the city centre,’ Jenny Sims, assistant chief constable, said.
BBC reporter Matt Cole, who had been at the parade with his family, narrowly avoided being struck.
He said: ‘There were screams ahead of us and suddenly this dark blue car just came through the crowd. I managed to grab my daughter who was with me and jump out of the way. It missed myself and my family by literally inches.’
Daniel Jones, 28, told The Sun: ‘A lot of people were evidently really angry. They were smashing [the car] up. Police were trying to restrain them. The back of the window was completely smashed. They were ripping the register plate off.’
The incident came just days after a memorial run in the city to honour the 97 victims of the Hillsborough disaster.
Many in Liverpool were left shaken by the parallels of tragedy revisiting the city during what should have been a time of triumph.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attack, saying: ‘The scenes in Liverpool are appalling — my thoughts are with all those injured or affected. I want to thank the police and emergency services for their swift and ongoing response to this shocking incident.’
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper was also said to have been kept fully briefed as the investigation unfolded.
A spokesperson for Liverpool City Council said they were liaising with police and would provide updates in due course.
Meanwhile, North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) released a statement confirming: ‘We are currently assessing the situation and working with other members of the emergency services. Our priority is to ensure people receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible.’
Restaurants along Water Street opened their doors to help those affected. Paddy Edrich, a reporter from the Liverpool Post, wrote on X: ‘People inside Riva are being treated by paramedics.
Some have bandages around their heads and limbs. Staff in the restaurant appear to be providing fluids to those being treated and the emergency services.’
Liverpool FC issued a statement, saying: ‘We are in direct contact with Merseyside Police regarding the incident on Water Street which happened towards the end of the trophy parade earlier this evening. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this serious incident.’
Former Liverpool stars Jamie Carragher and Robbie Fowler expressed their sorrow online. Carragher wrote: ‘Devastating end to the day… just pray everyone is ok’, while Fowler posted: ‘Heartbreaking news… absolutely sickened with what’s happened here in Liverpool.’
Mayor Steve Rotheram said: ‘Our hearts go out to all of those affected, especially those who have been injured. Thank you, as ever, to the first responders for their professionalism and swift action. This is a difficult day for our city region, but we stand together.’
The horrific scenes marred what had been an afternoon of jubilant celebrations, as fans packed the 10-mile parade route, which began at Allerton Maze and made its way through the city with players including Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk waving from an open-top bus.
Despite earlier showers, fans lined the route in their thousands, waving flags, setting off flares and chanting as the team celebrated their first title since 2020.
Anyone with information or footage of the incident has been urged to contact Merseyside Police.
