A huge police scene remains in the city centre on Tuesday morning
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People in Liverpool are in a state of shock this morning after a car was driven into people following Liverpool FC's trophy parade. Emergency services descended on Water Street after Merseyside Police were contacted just after 6pm on Monday, May 26 with reports of the incident.
It was later confirmed 27 people were taken to hospital and two, including one child, had sustained serious injuries. A 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area, who police believe to be the driver of the vehicle that hit fans, has been arrested in connection with the incident. Police said it is not believed to be terror-related.
In a press conference last night, Dave Kitchin from North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) 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.
Mr Kitchin said some patients had also taken themselves to local hospitals. A map below also shows where the incident took place in the city in reference to the parade.
A map of the incident
A map of the incident (Image: PA)
Below is a full timeline of events as the day turned from celebration to horror.
2.30pm - Parade begins
The open-top buses on Liverpool Waterfront
The open-top buses on Liverpool Waterfront(Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire. )
The parade began at 2.30pm on Monday, May 26 carrying the Reds first team squad through the city on bank holiday Monday. The parade began at Allerton Maze and headed north along Queens Drive, following a route similar to the one used in 2019.
It then toured key areas such as Mill Bank, West Derby Road, Islington, Leeds Street and the Strand. Thousands of people lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the parade bus.
4pm - Merseyside Police's message to fans to 'keep safe'
As the bus made its way through the city, Merseyside Police issued advice on their social media pages for people to keep safe. In a statement they said: "Please keep yourselves and other people safe during today's #LFC Victory Parade by not climbing buildings, structures, scaffolding or street furniture.
"The parade route covers 10 miles and there are plenty of safe vantage points to see the LFC bus. Hope everyone has a great day!"
Just after 6pm - Reports of a 'car crash' on Water Street
Emergency services at the scene of a major incident on Water Street in Liverpool city centre this evening
Emergency services at the scene of a major incident on Water Street in Liverpool city centre this evening
Merseyside Police received a report of car crash in Liverpool city centre just after 6pm on Monday. The force's first statement said officers had received reports a car had been involved in a crash involving a "number of pedestrians" on Water Street.
The statement added the car stopped at the scene and a man had been detained. When the ECHO arrived at the scene, dozens of emergency services, including police, fire and ambulance lined Dale Street and Water Street.
An air ambulance also landed near the Liver Building and people were seen being treated by paramedics. A number of people were seen receiving medical treatment inside restaurant Riva Blu, which was turned into a makeshift casualty centre.
Just before 8pm - Man arrested
Emergency Services scene on Water Street after Liverpool FC Premier League Champions parade
Emergency Services scene on Water Street after Liverpool FC Premier League Champions parade
Just before 8pm, Merseyside Police issued a further update confirming a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area had been arrested in connection with the incident.
A spokesperson asked people not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding the incident. They added: "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."
The man arrested is believed by police to have been the driver of the car. The incident is not believed to be terror-related, police have said.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer also issued a statement following the incident. In statement he said: “The scenes in Liverpool are appalling — my thoughts are with all those injured or affected. I want to thank the police and emergency services for their swift and ongoing response to this shocking incident.
“I’m being kept updated on developments and ask that we give the police the space they need to investigate.”
Around this time, Liverpool FC also issued a statement. It said: “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 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.”
10.55pm - Press conference
Leader of Liverpool City Council Liam Robinson, North West Ambulance Service's Dave Kitchin, Merseyside Police's Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims and Nick Searle, chief fire officer for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service
Leader of Liverpool City Council Liam Robinson, North West Ambulance Service's Dave Kitchin, Merseyside Police's Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims and Nick Searle, chief fire officer for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service
At around 10.55pm a press conference was held at the Cunard Building. Representatives from Merseyside Police, North West Ambulance Service, Liverpool City Council and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service read statements.
It was confirmed two people, including a child, suffered serious injuries after a car hit a number of pedestrians on Water Street following the Liverpool FC Premier League victory parade on Monday.
Twenty-seven patients in total were taken to hospital. Four of the injured were children. Twenty patients were treated at the scene for minor injuries that did not require hospital treatment.
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. He told the press conference: "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.”
Nick Searle from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said: "Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by this incident this evening. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service were informed at 6.07pm, 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 people 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. Fire crews will maintain a visible and reassuring presence in the coming days and weeks."
6am on Tuesday, May 27 - Scene remains
Police at the scene on Water Street
Police at the scene on Water Street(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
When the ECHO arrived at the scene this morning, a huge police presence and cordon remained. The cordon started from the junction of Temple Street and Dale Street and was in place to the bottom of Water Street.
Roads leading to Dale Street such as Eberle Street, Hackins Hey and part of Exchange Flags were also blocked off by police. This was also the situation for roads leading to Water Street.
A huge cordon remained at the top of Castle Street outside the town hall, with several police officers guarding the scene. People travelling to work were told to find alternative routes and officers said it was unclear when the roads would reopen. The Strand remains open for cars and pedestrian.
Due to the closure on Dale Street all Arriva North West and Stagecoach cross-river services are currently terminating at Whitechapel. The journeys will resume journeys at Sir Thomas Street, omitting Cook Street.
A blue tent remained on at the scene on Water Street and an ambulance was surrounded by a white tent, with a smaller tent in the middle.
8am - Four people 'very, very ill' in hospital
Police officers remain at the scene as a number of streets are cordoned off
Police officers remain at the scene as a number of streets are cordoned off
Four people are still “very, very ill in hospital” after a car ploughed into a crowd during Liverpool’s Premier League victory parade, the city’s metro mayor has said this morning.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live on Tuesday, Liverpool City Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said he was hopeful that those seriously injured “pull through very, very quickly,” reports PA.
He told the broadcaster: “The actual incident in Water Street will live with those people for all the wrong reasons, and that’s where we have to really focus our minds. There are still four people who are very, very ill in hospital and we are hoping of course that they pull through very, very quickly.”
This is an ongoing incident and the Liverpool ECHO will be bringing you live updates as we get them here.
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