It was meant to be a night to celebrate glories missed since the pandemic, but instead it turned to screams of horror as a people carrier ploughed through fans near the Liver building
05:42, 27 May 2025Updated 05:42, 27 May 2025
Emergency services have been praised for their swift response
Emergency services have been praised for their swift response(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Jubilation turned to horror after a car ploughed through Liverpool fans celebrating on the streets of the city.
An estimated 800,000 people flocked to the city and celebrated LFC’s historic Premier League win under skies turned red by flare smoke. However, just four hours into the official celebrations, chaos broke out when a people carrier smashed into a crowd on Water Street near the Liver Building.
Four children are among the 27 people taken to hospital after the incident. Two people, including one child, have sustained serious injuries, while 20 others were treated at the scene for minor wounds.
A 53-year-old man, described by police as white, British, and from the Merseyside area, was arrested at the scene. Officers believe he was driving the vehicle involved.
In a press conference on Monday evening, Merseyside Police confirmed the incident is being treated as isolated and is not believed to be terror-related.
Water Street remains closed overnight
Water Street remains closed overnight(Image: PA)
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In an effort to avoid any unnecessary speculation, Merseyside Police stated: "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.”
Assistant Chief Constable Sims confirmed the arrest and told a press conference: “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.”
Jack Trotter
Jack Trotter spoke from his hospital bed, saying he was in "agony" after the incident(Image: PA)
Injuries
Nick Searle, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service chief fire officer said that his firefighters rescued four people, including a child who were trapped under the car.
Searle said: “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.”
David Kitchin of North West Ambulance Service said 27 people were taken to hospital and 20 people were treated at the scene, with four children among the injured.
He said two of those taken to hospital, including one of the children, suffered serious injuries.
Kitchin 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.”
The joint press conference held just after 10:30pm confirmed the injuries, arrest and that it's not being treated as terrorism
The joint press conference held just after 10:30pm confirmed the injuries, arrest and that it's not being treated as terrorism(Image: PA)
Counter-terrorism police
Many people questioned whether this was an incident of terrorism on the streets of Liverpool. Speculation increased as counter terror police provided assistance to the local forces, however police reassured the public they are not treating it as so.
ACC Sims said; “"I know that people will understandably be concerned by what has happened tonight. What I can tell you is 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. We would ask that people refrain from sharing distressing footage from the incident online and please share any information directly with our investigation team."
Supporters said they were packed in like "sardines" on Water Street
Supporters said they were packed in like "sardines" on Water Street(Image: PA)
Eyewitness accounts
Since the area was packed, many people have come out with what they saw.
Harry Rashid detailed the pandemonium, he said: “It happened about 10 feet away from us. We were just in a crowd and we had no control over where we would be, because it was a very narrow street. The vehicle came to our right. It emerged from just right next to an ambulance, which was parked up. This people carrier just pulled up from the right and just rammed into all the people at the side of us."
He recounted how the crowd, realising what was happening, took action to halt the driver. "Then he stalled for a few seconds, probably about 10 seconds. Then the crowd that was a bit further back started rushing at him trying to smash the windows.”
Chelsea Yuen told Sky News: “We were literally like sardines walking up the street, and then we heard beeping and screaming and when we looked up, there was a black, people carrier, driving straight towards us.
"Me and my friend Francesca jumped out the way and pulled her little girl out the way."
Eyewitnesses claim the crowd went for the driver as he stalled the black Ford Galaxy
Eyewitnesses claim the crowd went for the driver as he stalled the black Ford Galaxy(Image: PA)
Driver ‘stalled’ before ‘ploughing’ forwards
The incident happened on Water Street in the city earlier this evening. In a shocking clip viewed by the Daily Star, a male at the helm of a black vehicle can be seen pausing briefly, before surging forward into a terrified crowd. At one point, a member of the crowd opens the driver's door, but it's swiftly closed as the car picks up speed.
We have chosen not to distribute the video, which was filmed by an eyewitness only metres away from the car.
In the footage, you can see a crowd hurling abuse at the man in a black people carrier. He backs the car up as they yell at him. But then he accelerates and honks his horn before speeding up. The door opens for a moment before the clip concludes.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at a lectern with the logo Securing Britain's Future
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the UK is with Liverpool after the tragedy(Image: PA Wire)
Government response
Late last night, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed he had spoken to Liverpool City Region mayor Steve Rotheram "about the terrible events" on Monday evening.
Sir Keir also praised the "remarkable bravery shown by the police and other emergency services".
"They are supporting and caring for those injured in these terrible events.
"Everyone, especially children, should be able to celebrate their heroes without this horror.
"The city has a long and proud history of coming together through difficult times."
The prime minister said "Liverpool stands together and the whole country stands with Liverpool".
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His initial response came earlier in the evening where he thanked police and emergency services for their swift response.
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