WARNING, GRAPHIC CONTENT: Paul Doyle drove his car into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating their club's title win in May - and now he is set to be sentenced this week
00:02, 15 Dec 2025
Paul Doyle
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Paul Doyle's sentencing commences today
A paramedic who was injured when a man drove his car into a crowd of football fans in Liverpool city centre has recounted how he disregarded his own injuries to assist those caught up in the pandemonium.
Jay Vernon wasn't scheduled to be on duty at Water Street when Paul Doyle ploughed his car into celebrating Liverpool FC fans following their club's title win last May.
The 34-year-old from Aigburth had been working as a cycle response lead, tasked with manoeuvring pedal bikes equipped with ambulance kit around the parade event in the city centre. However, within hours, he found himself embroiled in harrowing scenes as Doyle, 54, from West Derby, drove his Ford Galaxy into the throng, reports Liverpool Echo.
Paul Doyle
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Paul Doyle ploughed his car into celebrating Liverpool FC fans following their club's title win last May(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Over 100 pedestrians, including children as young as six months and an elderly woman aged 78, were injured after being hit by a Ford Galaxy on Water Street just after 6pm on Monday, May 26. What should have been a day of jubilation quickly descended into a nightmare of destruction and fear, with 50 casualties requiring hospital treatment in the wake of the horrifying incident.
Doyle is set to be sentenced for his crimes this week and has been cautioned to anticipate a substantial prison term. Reflecting on the events of that fateful day in May, Jay described it as having started like any other day.
He explained: "I was part of the business as usual team so the idea for us was to be responding to patients who weren't directly involved with the Liverpool parade incident because there's significant pre-planning and resources and that goes into that. It was felt that they had adequate resources and clinicians to dedicate the time to the Liverpool parade crowds and the bus itself, so we were predominantly in and around the city centre on the pedal bike."
Water Street
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Police officers stand at a cordon following the Liverpool parade crash on Water Street(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Jay, a devoted Liverpool supporter, recalled witnessing a "sea of red and white" throughout the city centre that day, describing the atmosphere as incredibly upbeat.
He continued: "There was a really good vibe around Liverpool and it was a really good day, despite the weather, up to around 6pm."
Jay explained that he was drawn towards Water Street following a radio appeal for extra personnel after the team bus had travelled through the vicinity, with reports emerging of a suspected cardiac arrest.
He recounted: "I made the decision to get off the pedal bike and I was pushing the bike itself.
Paul Doyle pleaded guilty on the second day of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court to seriously injuring people when he drove into football fans at Liverpool FC's victory parade
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Paul Doyle pleaded guilty on the second day of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court(Image: PA)
"There was a police sergeant to my right and I was walking to the left-hand side to the passenger side of the ambulance. We were creating that space moving the crowds dispersing so that the ambulance could get down quite freely.
"I had to do that on foot as I just felt it was unsafe for me to still be sat on the saddle of a pedal bike in such a large crowded area."
Within moments, chaos erupted and Jay, accustomed to helping those requiring assistance, found himself becoming a casualty of Doyle's actions. "As I was walking in front of the ambulance, I was struck with almighty force from behind, which has then sent me flying over to the right hand side and I landed in the gutter on Water Street.
"As I've put my hands out to brace myself, there were a number of people around me and on the floor. As I've looked left I've seen a car and I've then seen the car's reverse lights come on and start heading back up towards Water Street.
First picture of Paul Doyle, 53, of Burghill Road in West Derby
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Doyle faces a lengthy sentence(Image: Facebook)
"I immediately thought 'I'm in the middle of a terrorist incident.' I was very vulnerable because I didn't have a vehicle to sit in.
"I jumped up off the floor and then out of the way and I've watched the car then reverse with some speed and which resulted in the car hitting the front of the ambulance."
Jay suffered cuts and scrapes to his hands and legs, having been dressed in shorts whilst working as a cycle-based paramedic.
"I had a quick look around and made sure I was okay, as well as I could be, there were no broken bones or anything for me because running high on adrenaline, you can quite easily miss your own injuries," he continued.
"I started attending to some patients. There was a point in time when the vehicle then moved again, so this all happened really quickly. The vehicle then moved and it headed back down towards Water Street. I actually feared for my safety.
"I had passed some emergency messages via the emergency button but I felt really vulnerable."
Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Paul Doyle, 54, appearing at Liverpool Crown Court during his trial where he is accused of multiple offences
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He became emotional as he was re-arraigned and pleaded guilty(Image: Elizabeth Cook/PA Wire)
Jay paused to compose himself in the rear of an ambulance before assisting people with young children to provide them with a secure environment. He collected his kit as bystanders were screaming about victims being pinned beneath Doyle's vehicle and off-duty medical staff had intervened to assist. Jay remembered prams overturned and individuals lying on the pavement.
"Yes I was struck, yes I had some minor injuries but ultimately you just switch to 'I'm there as a paramedic and I'm there to help people," he said. "Ultimately, the adrenaline and that desire to help people just kicked in and that I think that's what got me through. I think having those people there and the injured people getting first class treatment so quickly after being injured was ultimately a game changing effort."
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Doyle made his court appearance last month dressed in a dark suit and spectacles with his greying hair swept back. He became emotional as he was re-arraigned and pleaded guilty to all charges on the indictment.
His sentencing commences today (Monday) and is anticipated to span two days. He has been cautioned that he faces a substantial prison term.