Credit: PA Images
A man who allegedly ploughed into a crowd with a car at Liverpool FC's victory parade remains in custody after he was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and drug driving.
Merseyside Police believe the car which struck pedestrians was able to get into the restricted area after tailgating an ambulance crew attending to someone suffering a heart attack after a road block was temporarily lifted.
Detective Chief Superintendent Karen Jaundrill said there was a total of 65 confirmed casualties following the incident in Water Street in the city centre on 26 May.
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More than 50 people, including children, were treated in different hospitals and 11 people remained there on Tuesday in a stable condition.
The road has now opened as normal, with traffic travelling down towards The Strand, following its two-day closure.
Police tents put in place in the road were removed, with bottles, cans and scarves left on the ground also cleared away.
A Liverpool flag remained on top of traffic lights and some remnants of police incident tape could be seen on signposts and in a bin.
More than 50 people, including children, were treated in different hospitals Credit: Owen Humphreys/PA
Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims has since defended the policing operation during the parade, telling reporters at a press conference the force planned for “all contingencies” - including road closures and an armed police presence.
She said there had been a “robust” traffic plan in place for the event, and there was no intelligence to suggest an attack was being planned and armed police officers were present as a safety measure.
“We had worked extensively with event organisers and key partner agencies in the months ahead of the potential parade, and a robust traffic management plan was in place, which included a number of local authority road closures throughout the route and the city centre," she said.
Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims provided an update at Merseyside Police headquarters
“This included Water Street, which was closed to traffic.
“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.
“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’ve previously stated the incident is not being treated as terrorism."
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Providing an update on the investigation, Ms Jaundrill said the suspect, from the West Derby area of Liverpool, remains in custody and is being interviewed by officers.
Messages of support have been sent to the people of Liverpool since the incident, including from the King who said: “I know that the strength of community spirit for which your city is renowned will be a comfort and support to those in need.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales also said they were “deeply saddened” by the parade crash, adding: “What should have been a joyful celebration ended with tragedy.”
Forensic officers at the scene on Water Street in Liverpool. Credit: PA Images
Speaking at an awards ceremony on Tuesday night, former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said the incident “showed the two faces of life”.
“The most beautiful face for a long, long time: the parade was incredible, the mood was incredible and from one second to another everything changed and we learned again there are more serious things in the world than football,” he said.
“Thoughts and prayers go to the injured people and their families as well.
“It should have been one of the greatest days in the history of the city, after a long, long time, because we didn’t have the opportunity to do it last time. I don’t know how and why it happened but we know what happened and that’s very bad.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper during a visit to the scene Credit: PA Images
The Princess Royal visited the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, where medical staff spoke of how they were “very, very fortunate” that there was not more injuries.
Divisional medical director for surgery at Aintree University Hospital Marc Lucky also told Princess Anne that an alert had been put out for staff to come in following the incident.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper visited the cordon of the incident along with the Liverpool Mayor on Tuesday afternoon.