Up to a million Liverpool fans defied the rain today, flooding the city center with a sea of red shirts, scarves, and banners.
The open-topped bus carrying their heroes was met with deafening cheers and a sky filled with red flares, marking the first public celebration of a league title in three generations.
However, shortly after, as fans dispersed into restaurants, hotels, and pubs to relive the day's festivities, whispers of a major incident nearby began to circulate. Alarming videos shared on WhatsApp confirmed the dreadful news; a car had careered into a group of supporters, likely on their way back to their families.
The atmosphere shifted dramatically, from jubilant festivity to sombre concern for the wellbeing of those caught up in the event.
At 5:30pm, I witnessed Virgil van Dijk and his teammates lift the Premier League trophy in front of the Liver Building, amid a throng of ecstatic fans and a spectacle of fireworks.
Merely 30 minutes later, as those same fans crowded the streets to make their way home via Moorfields station, a car reportedly barrelled into several individuals. The incident took place on Water Street, which many, including myself, had traversed to view the tail end of the parade.
Hundreds of police officers are on the scene in central Liverpool
Hundreds of police officers are on the scene in central Liverpool (Image: Getty Images)
A father recounted to me: "I heard screaming looked behind me and seen a person got flipped into the air. I grabbed the kids and my Mrs and we ran into that cafe. I saw it come up the road and hit three people, everyone was screaming.
"The car stopped and this lad got hold of him and attacked him as he got out the car but the police were quick to respond."
Describing the collective heartache of Liverpool supporters, families, and all those affected is beyond words.
There's a profound sense of empathy for the victims — concern for their well-being and that of their families — coupled with outrage over the incident. Questions abound: Who would do this, and why?
Ambulances and police vans arrive on the scene of an incident in Water Street, on the sidelines of an open-top bus victory parade for Liverpool's Premier League title win, in Liverpool, north-west England on May 26, 2025
Water Street is filled with police and other emergency personnel as they continue to investigate the incident (Image: Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)
What remains clear is that Liverpool stands together in the face of adversity. The immediate focus must be on allowing the police to conduct their investigation.
As the gravity of the situation became apparent, many city center pubs subdued their revelry. The usual festive atmosphere was notably dampened.
Amidst the quiet, a distant rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' began to echo. A handful of voices joined in, but most simply listened, the lyrics resonating deeper than ever before.