One line of enquiry is that the vehicle was trying to follow an ambulance through the crowds before it then lurched forward and ploughed into the crowds during the celebrations
Liam Thorp Liverpool Echo Political Editor and Kelly Williams Assistant News Editor (Live)
13:12, 27 May 2025Updated 13:15, 27 May 2025
Police tents surrounded by debris at the scene in Water Street near the Liver Building
Police tents surrounded by debris at the scene in Water Street near the Liver Building(Image: PA)
Police say they are looking into a theory a motorist who drove into pedestrians may have been trying to tail an ambulance.
A 53-year-old man was arrested following the distressing incident on Water Street on Monday evening, where a car ploughed into spectators gathered in the city centre to celebrate Liverpool's Premier League triumph.
It has been verified that a minimum of 47 people were injured when the vehicle struck the crowd, with 27 - including two children - requiring hospital care. Today, Steve Rotheram, Mayor of Liverpool City Region, stated that four people remain 'very, very ill' in hospital.
47 individuals were injured
47 people were injured(Image: PA)
Merseyside Police are conducting thorough investigations to determine the events leading up to the incident, with queries arising about how the car managed to enter a key city centre road that had been shut off for the parade.
The ECHO has learned that one line of investigation is whether the car was trailing or attempting to trail an ambulance navigating through the crowd. This could have prompted some spectators to try and halt the vehicle before it suddenly surged forward, hitting the crowd and causing numerous injuries, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Article continues below
The ECHO has been informed by several sources that the theory of the driver tailgating an ambulance is being investigated as a possible method for the car's entry onto Water Street. The police are reportedly treating this as a significant line of enquiry.
Thw Daily Star has decided against publishing a distressing video depicting the incident.
A 53-year-old white British man was arrested
A 53-year-old white British man was arrested(Image: PA)
Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims, during a press briefing on Monday evening, spoke about the driver and any potential motive: "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."
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."
Dumisani Moyo, who witnessed the terrible aftermath, had come from London to see the parade and was staying nearby on Water Street. He recounted to the ECHO: "We got back here just after it had happened. We weren't able to go back into our accommodation."
Article continues below
Describing the chaos, he said: "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."
He added: "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."