The Prince and Princess of Wales have said they are ‘deeply saddened’ after a driver ploughed into a crowd of people during Liverpool’s Premier League title parade.
A total of 27 people, including four children, were taken to hospital and 20 were treated at the scene after a people carrier rammed through crowds along Water Street, in the Liverpool city centre, at around 6pm on Monday.
A 53-year-old white British man from Liverpool was arrested, Merseyside Police said, adding that he is believed to be the driver.
Prince William and Catherine released a statement on Tuesday afternoon at the same time as King Charles and Queen Camilla, while Princess Anne paid a surprise visit to first responders at a major hospital in Liverpool.
The Prince and Princess of Wales said: ‘We are deeply saddened by the scenes in Liverpool yesterday. What should have been a joyful celebration ended with tragedy.
‘Our thoughts are with those who were injured and to the first responders and emergency services on the ground.’
King Charles, who is in Ottawa with Queen Camilla to mark the opening session of Canada’s parliament, also said they were ‘deeply shocked and saddened’.
‘My wife and I were deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the terrible events that took place in Liverpool on Monday,’ Charles, 76, said.
‘It is truly devastating to see that what should have been a joyous celebration for so many could end in such distressing circumstances.
‘At this heartbreaking time for the people of Liverpool, I know that the strength of community spirit for which your city is renowned will be a comfort and support to those in need.’
The King added that their ‘prayers and deepest sympathy are with all those who have been affected’ and thanked the emergency crews who rushed to the aid of those injured.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have said they are ‘deeply saddened’ after a driver ploughed into a crowd of people
The King also said he was ‘deeply shocked and saddened’ by the crash during Liverpool’s Premier League title parade
The King and the Prince and Princess of Wales released statements on Tuesday, while Princess Anne visited first responders at a Liverpool hospital
The Princess Royal meets with medical staff from the hospital team during a visit to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital to meet and thank emergency responders
Police tents surrounded by debris at the scene in Water Street the morning after the horror
Meanwhile, his sister Anne paid a surprise visit to a Liverpool hospital to speak to medics and first responders who treated those injured in the parade carnage.
The Royal, 74, was in the city for another event and changed her plans so she could visit staff at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital as well.
A number of those wounded in the incident on Monday night were taken to the hospital, the largest in the city.
Staff and visitors lined to corridors to greet the Princess on Tuesday afternoon. The Royal, wearing a bright red jacket and burgundy skirt, was given a round of applause after speaking to paramedics and ambulance staff. She spent around 50 minutes at the hospital.
The Princess, one of the hardest working Royals, was accompanied by representatives from Liverpool Football Club.
Earlier in the day, she was given a tour of the luxury cruise liner the Queen Anne on the River Mersey in Liverpool, to mark the 185th anniversary of the shipping firm, Cunard.
The fleet’s latest vessel, the Queen Anne, arrived in Liverpool on Monday in time to provide a backdrop for the open-top bus Premier League parade. The ship had her naming ceremony in the city last year.
Almost 50 people were injured when the grey Ford Galaxy collided with football fans in Water Street following Liverpool’s Premier League parade.
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 car collided with a crowd of Liverpool fans at their Premier League trophy parade on Monday
Emergency services rushed to the scene, and 27 people, including four children, were taken to hospitals across the city
Hundreds of police officers rushed to the scene amid panic and distress from supporters
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At a press conference late on Monday evening, Dave Kitchin from North West Ambulance Service said 27 people were taken to hospital and 20 people were treated at the scene, with four children among the injured.
He said two of those taken to hospital, including one of the children, suffered serious injuries.
Three adults and one child were removed from beneath the vehicle, the fire service said.
The city’s metro mayor said four of those are still ‘very, very ill in hospital’ on Tuesday morning.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live on Tuesday, Liverpool City Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said he was hopeful that those seriously injured ‘pull through very, very quickly’.
He told the broadcaster: ‘The actual incident in Water Street will live with those people for all the wrong reasons, and that’s where we have to really focus our minds.
‘There are still four people who are very, very ill in hospital and we are hoping of course that they pull through very, very quickly.’
He said there was a ‘big question’ over how the driver managed to plough through the crowd, adding: ‘Water Street was not a route where vehicles were supposed to be using it, it was blocked off.’
