A total of 27 people were rushed to hospital, including four children.
23:01, 26 May 2025Updated 23:21, 26 May 2025
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In full: Police statement after Liverpool parade car horror
Four children are in hospital after a car "drove through crowds" of football fans in Liverpool.
The horror incident took place on Water Street at 6pm. A total of 27 people were rushed to hospital, including four children.
Two casualties, including a child, have serious injuries. Four people including a child were lifted from beneath the vehicle after it stopped. A further 20 people were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
Ambulances and police vans arriving on the scene
Ambulances and police vans arriving on the scene(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
A press conference was held on the incident on Monday night, where police confirmed the incident is not being treated as terror. A 53-year-old man, believed to be the driver of the car, has since been arrested.
The suspect is from the Liverpool area.
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Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said: “The car stopped at the scene and a 53-year-old white, British man from the Liverpool area was arrested.
“We believe him to be the driver of the vehicle.
“Extensive inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances leading up to the collision, and it is vital that people do not speculate or spread misinformation on social media.
“I know that people will understandably be concerned by what has happened tonight.
“What I can tell you is that we believe this to be an isolated incident, and we are not currently looking for anyone else in relation to it.
“The incident is not being treated as terrorism.”
A man has been arrested
A man has been arrested(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
David Kitchin of North West Ambulance Service said: “We can confirm that our teams treated 20 patients at the scene for minor injuries, and these did not need hospital treatment.
“Twenty-seven patients in total were taken to hospital by ambulance, and we believe two of those, including one of the children, have sustained serious injuries.”
Assistant Chief Constable Sims thanked members of the public who helped those injured.
The scene in Liverpool
The scene in Liverpool(Image: PA)
She called it a “horrific incident”, telling the press conference: “I want to thank all of the emergency services, partner agencies and members of the public who came to the assistance of the injured following this evening’s shocking incident, which we declared a major incident.
“This had been a joyous day in Liverpool with hundreds of thousands of people lining the streets to celebrate Liverpool Football Club’s victory parade.”
“A number of people have been injured and were taken to hospital.
“In addition, a large number of people of all ages were treated at the scene, but did not require hospital treatment.”
She added: “In the lead-up to this event we had been working closely with event organisers and a robust traffic management plan was put in place for the parade, which included a number of road closures throughout the route and the city centre."
She urged people to refrain from sharing “distressing footage” from the incident online, but called for videos to be passed to the police.
Nick Searle, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service chief fire officer said: “We immediately mobilised three fire engines to Water Street and were in attendance in four minutes.
“On arrival, the crews were met with numerous injured… and four persons trapped under a vehicle.
“Our crews rapidly lifted the vehicle, removed three adults and one child from beneath and passed them to our ambulance service colleagues.
“We then worked with emergency service partners to ensure casualties received medical treatment and transport to hospital as quickly as possible.”
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He added: “My fire crews will maintain a visible and reassuring presence in the coming days and weeks.”