The driver of a car that crashed into spectators at the Liverpool FC title parade may have been trying to tail an ambulance through the throng of people before striking and injuring dozens, it is understood.
A 53 year-old man was arrested following the terrifying scenes on Water Street on Monday evening where a car ploughed into crowds who had gathered in the city centre to celebrate Liverpool's Premier League victory parade.
It has been confirmed that at least 47 people were injured as the vehicle struck the crowd, with 27 - including two children - rushed to hospital for treatment. Today, Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram revealed that four individuals remain 'very, very ill' in hospital.
Merseyside Police are conducting thorough investigations to determine the circumstances leading up to the incident, with questions being raised about how the car managed to enter a key city centre road that had been shut off to traffic due to the parade.
It is understood that one line of enquiry is that the car was tailing or attempting to tail an ambulance that was navigating through the crowd. This may have prompted some of the assembled crowd to try and halt the vehicle before it then surged forward and crashed into the crowd, injuring many, reports the Liverpool Echo.
It is understood that authorities are contemplating the possibility that a car accessed Water Street by tailgating an ambulance during an emergency, as part of ongoing investigations into the incident.
Merseyside Police's Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims delivered insights at a press briefing, stating: "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."
Police tents surrounded by debris at the scene in Water Street. (Image: PA)
The scene in Water Street near the Liver Building in Liverpool city centre after a 53-year-old white British man was arrested when a car ploughed into a crowd of people during Liverpool FC's Premier League victory parade. (Image: PA)
She further clarified: "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 currently being treated as terrorism."
A witness caught up in the traumatic situation was Londoner Dumisani Moyo, who, while visiting Liverpool for the parade, recounted his experience to the ECHO: "We got back here just after it had happened. We weren't able to go back into our accommodation."
Describing the chaos he recounted: "It was mayhem, it had just happened. People were trying to get to the driver and the police were trying to create their cordon to stop people getting onto the scene."
Moyo provided a troubling snapshot of the aftermath: "It was really horrific stuff. The car was still there, we could see it. People were lying hurt on the floor.
"It had been a beautiful day, the people of Liverpool are great, we had a wonderful time and then that happened. We couldn't get into our accommodation until about 11pm. But we are ok, we are safe and we pray for the people who got hurt. We wish them the best."
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