As Liverpool celebrated the club's 20th league title with a parade around the city, a car drove into and collided with pedestrians in the Liverpool City Center around 6 pm local time. A 53-year-old suspect has been detained by local Merseyside Police as a primary suspect.
Liverpool Echo reporter Paddy Edrich, present on the scene, reported: “Several ambulances have left the scene in the past couple of minutes. I’ve overheard one paramedic say that they are having to go to a different hospital because 'the Royal [Hospital] could be overrun.'” The Royal Liverpool University Hospital (RLUH) is considered the largest hospital in the city. It is unconfirmed where else patients would be taken.
In addition to ground ambulances, air ambulances have also arrived on the scene to aid civilians affected by the crash.
"NWAS is supporting an incident in Liverpool city center, following reports of a road traffic collision," read a statement from the North West Ambualance Service (NWAS).
"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."
Head coach Arne Slot led the team around the city in an open-top bus tour that, outside of a smattering of rain, went on without a hitch.
The club released a statement expressing solace for anyone impacted by the incident. "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.
Water Street
Water Street in Liverpool was covered with Emergency Service personnel shortly after the crash (Image: Getty Images)
"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."
Mersey Police confirmed the incident in a statement and indicated they have one suspect detained. :We are currently dealing with reports of a road traffic collision in Liverpool city center," it read.
"We were contacted at just after 6 pm [BST] today, Monday 26 May, following reports a car had been in a 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."