Merseyside Police has issued an update to confirm a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area was arrested
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A large police cordon is in place off the Strand and Water Street
A large police cordon is in place off the Strand and Water Street
(Image: Liverpool Echo)
What started as a day of celebration as Liverpool FC paraded the Premier League trophy around the city ended with a major incident in which a car was driven in to people in the city centre. A large emergency service presence is currently at Water Street after a car crashed in to people following the parade.
The ECHO reached out to contact Merseyside Police after receiving reports that a car had hit a number of people in the city centre just after 6pm. A spokesperson from the force issued a statement to confirm a man had been detained.
They said: "We are currently dealing with reports of a road traffic collision in Liverpool city centre. 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."
Merseyside Police later issued an update to confirm a 53-year-old had been arrested and urged people to avoid speculation on social media. They said: "We would ask people not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding tonight’s incident on Water Street in Liverpool city centre.
"We can confirm the man arrested is a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area. Extensive enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances leading up to the collision.
"We would ask people not to share distressing content online but to send the footage or information directly to us @MerPolCC or pass on information by calling 101 quoting log 784. Information can also be passed on anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."
Liverpool FC has also released a statement as the club said their "thoughts and prayers" are with those affected by the incident. It 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.”
The ECHO has reporters out on the scene as eyewitnesses described the moment it happened. A member of staff at Riva Blu, an Italian restaurant on Dale Street, who did not wish to be named, told the ECHO: "So there was just like, a black car just drove straight through the crowd.
"I was just stood there in shock and people were running in so there was no way to get out. I seemed to be the only person that saw it, at least out of the staff, and people didn't seem to know what was going on for a good bit until loads of police arrived and I thought maybe the road was open and, you know, I didn't actually see people get hurt until after I saw people on the floor.
"It was quite scary. We've just been like giving them water. we've had to like, obviously cordon off the restaurant and yeah, I just had try to help people."
The North West Ambulance Service also issued an update and said paramedics are supporting an incident in the city centre. They 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.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also addressed the incident as he said: "The scenes in Liverpool are appalling — my thoughts are with all those injured or affected” adding that he was “being kept updated on developments and ask that we give the police the space they need to investigate”.
The ECHO will continue to keep you updated on the latest with this developing news story.