More details emerge after what was meant to be a night to celebrate glories, turned to screams of horror as a people carrier ploughed through fans near the Liver building
04:54, 28 May 2025Updated 04:58, 28 May 2025
Forensic officers at the scene of the Liverpool FC parade incident on Water Street In Liverpool city centre
Jubilation turned to horror on bank holiday Monday(Image: Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
What began as a moment of triumph quickly turned to tragedy when a vehicle ploughed into Liverpool fans celebrating in the city streets.
An estimated 800,000 supporters had gathered to mark Liverpool FC’s historic Premier League victory, filling the air with red flare smoke in a citywide celebration. But just four hours into the festivities, chaos erupted as a people carrier crashed into a crowd on Water Street, near the iconic Liver Building.
A total of 65 people were injured as a result of the incident, with 27 people taken to hospital, including four children. Two individuals—one of them a child—suffered serious injuries, while 20 others received treatment at the scene for minor wounds.
Police arrested a 53-year-old man at the scene. He is described as white, British, and from the Merseyside area, and is believed to have been the driver of the vehicle involved.
The scene in Water Street near the Liver Building in Liverpool 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.
Water Street was cordoned to allow for police investigation(Image: Danny Lawson/PA Wire)
Arrest
Detective Chief Superintendent Karen Jaundrill said: "We have arrested a 53-year-old man from West Derby on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving offences and driving whilst unfit through drugs."
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In a statement on Monday night and in an effort to avoid any unnecessary speculation, Merseyside Police stated: "We would ask people not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding tonight's incident on Water Street in Liverpool city centre. We can confirm the man arrested is a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area. Extensive enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances leading up to the collision."
The arrested man remains in custody and is being interviewed by officers, police said.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, witness Harry Rashid said he and his wife saw the driver of the vehicle clearly.
"He looked emotional, agitated, his hands were moving about,” Rashid said. “He was trying to close the door of the car because people were trying to pull the door open.
"When he closed the door people were banging on the vehicle, the windscreens, the side windows, the back window. Within the next five seconds he managed to put his car into gear again and drive straight through the people in front of him."
It is believed the Ford followed an ambulance who was trying to reach someone having a heart attack
It is believed the Ford followed an ambulance who was trying to reach someone having a heart attack(Image: PA)
Tailgating
Assistant Chief Constable Sims said the force believes the car which struck pedestrians was able to follow an ambulance crew attending to someone suffering a heart attack after a road block was temporarily lifted.
She said: "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 heart attack."
She added: "There was no intelligence to suggest an incident of this nature would take place." Ms Sims defended the policing operation during the parade, telling reporters that the force planned for "all contingencies" - including road closures and an armed police presence.
One child was treated in hospital for serious injuries
One child was treated in hospital for serious injuries(Image: Getty Images)
Casualties
Police say 11 people are still being treated in hospital and are recovering well. A total of 65 people were injured, they said.
Nick Searle, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service chief fire officer said that his firefighters rescued four people, including a child who were trapped under the car.
Searle said: “Our crews rapidly lifted the vehicle, removed three adults and one child from beneath and passed them to our ambulance service colleagues."
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. Twenty people were treated for injuries at the roadside but did not need hospital treatment.
Kitchin said: “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.”
The joint press conference held just after 10:30pm confirmed the injuries, arrest and that it's not being treated as terrorism
The joint press conference held on Monday confirmed the injuries, arrest and that it's not being treated as terrorism(Image: PA)
Armed presence and counter-terrorism police
A video showing what seemed to be a police sniper team on the Queensway Tunnel Ventilation Tower has been circulating on social media, leading to questions like "did the police expect an incident?" However, according to sources, the decision to station rooftop sniper teams in the city centre was purely a precautionary measure for a major event.
However, Merseyside Police had an armed presence in the city centre due to the scale and importance of Liverpool's title-winning parade. This included the Project Servator team, which comprises high-visibility armed officers, and the decision to deploy sniper teams is standard for events of this magnitude.
Many people questioned whether this was an incident of terrorism on the streets of Liverpool. Speculation increased as counter terror police provided assistance to the local forces, however police reassured the public they are not treating it as so.
Liverpool incident
The increased police presence before the incident was normal for an event of this magnitude(Image: PA Wire)
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ACC Sims said: “"I know that people will understandably be concerned by what has happened tonight. What I can tell you is 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 being treated as terrorism. We would ask that people refrain from sharing distressing footage from the incident online and please share any information directly with our investigation team."
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