Liverpool has expressed its sadness after Monday's Premier League trophy parade was marred by a car being driven into a crowd of fans in the city center.
The club released a statement in the aftermath of the incident, which occurred at just after 6 p.m. local time in Walter Street. Earlier in the day, Arne Slot and his players were paraded through the city in an open-top bus to celebrate the club's Premier League title triumph with fans.
Merseyside police confirmed a male had been detained by officers, and dozens of ambulance crews rushed to the scene to treat casualties, with bars and restaurants turned into makeshift treatment rooms. Liverpool have finally spoken out after their Premier League title celebrations were marred by the tragic incident.
On what was meant to be a day of celebration, Liverpool released the statement on the incident. The statement read: “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.
“We will continue to offer our full support to the emergency services and local authorities who are dealing with this incident.”
Merseyside Police have confirmed that a 53-year-old man has been detained and arrested after a car collided with a crowd of Liverpool fans at the Premier League title parade. “A 53-year-old white British man has been arrested after a car ploughed into a crowd of people during Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory parade,” the police said in a statement.
The Merseyside Police's original statement on the incident came from a spokesperson, who said: “We are currently dealing with reports of a road traffic collision in Liverpool city center.
“We were contacted at just after 6pm today, Monday 26 May, 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. We will issue more updates as we have them.”
A North West Ambulance Service spokesperson added: “NWAS is supporting an incident in Liverpool city center, 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.”
An air ambulance also landed in the city center to try and deal with the issues. Natasha Rinaldi witnessed the incident as she was watching the parade from her friend's living room window when they “heard some screams.“
“It was so loud,“ Rinaldi told Sky News. “People sounded desperate.
“And then we looked at 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.“