Merseyside Police held a press conference today, providing updates on the horrific events that left over 50 people injured during the Liverpool FC parade.
It is believed the car, which drove into crowds of people on Water Street, followed an ambulance into the celebrations.
A road block was lifted temporarily, so paramedics could help a man who suffered a suspected heart attack, Merseyside Police stated.
They also revealed that a 53-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drugs after dozens of people were injured by the car.
Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said that 50 people were treated at hospital following yesterday’s incident.
11 people remain in hospital for ongoing treatment, though they are in stable condition and recovering well.
A car was seen driving through the crowds on Water Street on Bank Holiday Monday (PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Sims added: “It is believed the driver of the Ford Galaxy car involved in this incident was able to follow an ambulance onto Water Street after the road block was temporarily lifted so that the ambulance crew could attend to a member of the public who was having a suspected heart attack.”
She added that an ‘armed policing presence was also in place’ in addition to road closures to protect pedestrians celebrating Liverpool FC’s 20th league title victory.
“There was no intelligence to suggest an incident of this nature would take place, and as we previously stated, the incident is not being treated as terrorism,” she stated.
The Assistant Chief Constable explained that ‘an extensive investigation’ was underway to find out the exact circumstances of the incident, adding: “We continue to ask people not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding the incident and refrain from sharing distressing content online.”
The gruesome scenes were shared across social media (X)
Merseyside Police would also confirm that an ‘extensive’ CCTV search to find the driver’s exact movements have taken place.
Detective Chief Superintendent Karen Jaundrill has asked anyone with footage or information to get in touch with them, adding: “I have no doubt regarding the impact that this appalling incident has had on those who were injured, their family and friends.”
Ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who won the club’s first Premier League title, took to Instagram to share his sadness at the harrowing situation.
“My family and I are shocked and devastated,” he began.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who are injured and affected.
“You’ll never walk alone.”
Featured Image Credit: X
Joshua Nair
Man detained after car driven into crowd of people during Liverpool FC victory parade
A man has been arrested following the dramatic incident in Liverpool
A 53-year-old man has been detained by police after a car collided with numerous pedestrians during Liverpool FC’s victory parade today (26 May).
Thousands of people had descended on the city centre on Monday to celebrate the club’s Premier League victory before chaos erupted at around 6pm.
Merseyside Police received a string of reports that a vehicle had struck a crowd of people on Water Street. The extent of the injuries sustained by those involved currently remains unclear.
The driver stopped at the scene and was detained by officers, the force said.
Police urged people ‘not to speculate on the circumstances’ surrounding the incident, saying that ‘extensive enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances leading up to the collision’.
The car collided with pedestrians in the busy city centre on Monday evening (PA)
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police added: “We can confirm the man arrested is a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the incident as ‘appalling’ in a statement, explaining that he is being ‘kept updated’ on the developments.
“The scenes in Liverpool are appalling – my thoughts are with all those injured or affected,” he said. “I want to thank the police and emergency services for their swift and ongoing response to this shocking incident.
“I’m being kept updated on developments and ask that we give the police the space they need to investigate.”
Eyewitness accounts have began to emerge, with one woman saying she was forced to ‘jump out the way’ of the vehicle as it careered towards her.
Chelsea Yuen said people were packed onto Water Street ‘like sardines’ when they suddenly began to hear ‘beeping and screaming’.
A swarm of footie fans seen surrounding the vehicle (X/@lawbeau94)
“When we looked up, there was a black, people carrier, driving straight towards us,” she told Sky News. “Me and my friend jumped out the way and pulled her little girl out the way. I’m just in shock. Like we can’t stop shaking.”
Another onlooker, who was watching the parade from the safety of her friend’s living room, described hearing ‘desperate’ screams from the street below.
Natasha Rinaldi said: “It was so loud. We looked out the window and we saw the car [had] run over people.
“Then people started rushing to go after the driver and they tried to break the car. The police did everything to block and to push people away.
“We could just hear screams and screams. We were very confused. Some of my friends were down there and the car was so near them. It was a horrible scene, nobody was expecting it.”
Liverpool FC also shared a statement on the dramatic incident to social media on Monday evening.
“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,” it read.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this serious incident. We will continue to offer our full support to the emergency services and local authorities who are dealing with this incident.”
A man has been detained, Merseyside Police said (PA)
Police rushed to the area after receiving reports that a number of pedestrians were struck by the vehicle, and a number of people have been seen being assisted by emergency responders.
A statement from Merseyside Police explains: “We are currently dealing with reports of a road traffic collision in Liverpool city centre. We were contacted at just after 18:00 today, following reports a car had been in collision with a number of pedestrians on Water Street.
“The car stopped at the scene and a male has been detained. Emergency services are currently on the scene.”
A spokesperson for the North West Ambulance Service also said: “NWAS is supporting an incident in Liverpool city centre, following reports of a road traffic collision.
“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.
“Updates will be published on this page and Mersey Police as we know more.”
A spokesman for Liverpool City Council also confirmed the local authority is liaising with police about the incident.
Terrifying footage of the car colliding with numerous people has also been circulating on social media.
Police urged people ‘not to share distressing content online’ and instead send any video or relevant information directly to the force, or pass on information by calling 101 quoting log 784.
Information can also be given anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Liverpool FC held an open-top bus parade to celebrate its Premier League triumph, seeing thousands of fans line the streets along the 10-mile route.
According to councillor John Hughes, more than one million people were expected to attend the event.
Featured Image Credit: X
