A car was filmed ploughing into crowds at Liverpool's title parade, with witnesses describing the chaos as the vehicle veered into pedestrians as the parade was taking place
10:50, 27 May 2025
Liverpool attack
A reporter described their horror escape(Image: PA)
A BBC journalist has recounted the terrifying moment a car ploughed into the crowd at the Liverpool FC title parade, narrowly missing his family.
On Monday night police reported that 27 individuals were hospitalised and an additional 20 received on-site treatment after a vehicle struck a throng of fans celebrating the club's Premier League triumph. Two individuals, including a child, are in serious condition. Video footage circulating on social media appears to show the car accelerating as it swerved into pedestrians on both sides of the road, sending them flying onto the windscreen.
Some people fell to the ground or darted out of the way to evade the vehicle. A 53-year-old white British man from Liverpool was subsequently arrested, according to Merseyside Police.
Liverpool attack
More than 40 were injured in the incident(Image: X/@vanguardintel)
BBC's Matt Porter described how he and his family had just enjoyed a fireworks display accompanying the team bus when they saw an ambulance weaving through the crowd, followed by "screams", reports the Mirror.
He recalled: "Suddenly this dark blue car just came through the crowd. It just wasn't stopping - I managed to grab my daughter who was with me and jump out of the way.
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"It missed myself and my family by literally inches." He estimated the car was moving at more than 20mph.
Another eyewitness, Harry Rashid, 48, from Solihull, was attending the parade with his wife and two young daughters when he witnessed the horrifying collision.
He recounted: "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.
Liverpool attack
Eyewitnesses say the street was very narrow(Image: PA)
"The vehicle came to our right. It emerged from just right next to an ambulance, which was parked up. This grey people carrier just pulled up from the right and just rammed into all the people at the side of us."
This morning, the aftermath near Liverpool's iconic Liver Building was stark, with police tents standing around scattered debris as detectives probed the incident.
In an update on Monday night, police declared the shocking event wasn't being considered an act of terrorism.
Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims stated: "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. Sadly, at just after 6 o'clock this evening, as the parade was drawing to a close, we received reports that a car had been in collision with a number of pedestrians on Water Street in Liverpool city centre.
Liverpool attack
Many have been taken to hospital due to their injuries(Image: PA)
"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.
"Specialist officers have been put in place to support the injured and their families. Our emergency services colleagues from the North West Ambulance Service and Mersey Fire and Rescue Service also attended the scene and will be able to provide further updates.
"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 enquiries 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."
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