Merseyside Police has issued an update as a man from West Derby was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder
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Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims(right),speaking at Merseyside Police Headquarters,alongside Detective Chief Superintendant Karen Jaundrill
Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims (right) speaking at Merseyside Police Headquarters alongside Detective Chief Superintendant Karen Jaundrill
(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Merseyside Police provided a number of updates this afternoon on the incident that took place on Water Street after Liverpool FC's victory parade yesterday. The celebratory mood quickly descended into horror on Monday when a car ploughed into supporters in the city centre, just after 6pm.
Police confirmed yesterday a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area was arrested following the incident. Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said yesterday that police believe the man to be the driver of the vehicle that hit fans.
The force also believe the incident is an isolated incident not related to terrorism. ACC Sims held another press conference alongside Detective Chief Superintendent Karen Jaundrill this afternoon (Tuesday, May 27) to provide some key updates on this developing case.
DCS Jaundrill said the 53-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving offences and driving whilst unfit through drugs after the parade incident. The man, from the West Derby area, remains in custody where he is being interviewed.
She told a press conference: “I want to reassure the public of Merseyside that detectives are making significant progress as we seek to establish the full circumstances that led to this awful incident and bring the person responsible to justice. We have a total of 65 confirmed casualties, many of whom required hospital treatment.
“Further work is ongoing to identify other people affected, and we will continue to support these individuals in the days and weeks to come.”
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ACC Sims issued an update on the number of people who have been injured following the incident. In Monday evening's press conference, it was confirmed that 27 people were taken to hospital and two, including one child, had sustained serious injuries.
ACC Sims said 11 people remain in hospital and all are in a stable condition and appear to be recovering well. She said: "I have no doubt regarding the impact that this appalling incident has had on those who were injured, their family and friends, and for those who witnessed the incident unfolding in front of them.
“It is so heartening to hear that the public has also recognised the human impact on our attending officers, staff and other emergency service colleagues from North West Ambulance Service and Merseyside Fire and Rescue, and I want to personally thank the public for their support of first responders who were on scene in a matter of seconds.
“Following the incident yesterday, I can confirm on behalf of the National Health Service that we are aware of 50 people who were treated at hospital for ongoing treatment. Of those 11 remain in hospital for ongoing treatment. They are all in a stable condition, and I am pleased to say that they appear to be recovering well.”
ACC Sims also provided an update on the investigation into the circumstances leading up to the incident, with questions being asked about how the car was able to access a key city centre road that had been closed to traffic because of the parade.
The ECHO reported earlier today that one line of enquiry is that the car was following or attempting to follow an ambulance that was moving through the crowd. ACC Sims said the vehicle in question was a Ford Galaxy and said it is believed the car was able to follow an ambulance after a member of the public had a suspected heart attack.
She told the press conference at Merseyside Police headquarters: “It is believed the driver of the Ford Galaxy car involved in this incident was able to follow an ambulance onto Water Street after the road block was temporarily lifted so that the ambulance crew could attend to a member of the public who was having a suspected heart attack.
“As with many large events, with event organisers we planned for all contingencies and this included the implementation of road closures to protect pedestrians and an armed policing presence was also in place throughout the day.
“There was no intelligence to suggest an incident of this nature would take place, and as we previously stated, the incident is not being treated as terrorism.
“An extensive investigation into the precise circumstances of the incident is ongoing and we continue to ask people not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding the incident and refrain from sharing distressing content online.”
“An extensive investigation into the precise circumstances of the incident is ongoing, and we continue to ask people not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding the incident and refrain from sharing distressing content online.” The ECHO will continue to provide the latest updates from this developing incident as they are confirmed.
Liverpool City Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram provided an update on those injured this morning. The 63-year-old said four people are still “very, very ill in hospital” after the incident and is hopeful that those seriously injured “pull through very, very quickly".
Mr Rotheram was speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live on Tuesday as he said: “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.”
ECHO reporters have been at the scene this morning as a huge police cordon remains in place. 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.
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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 pedestrians.