Investigations are ongoing following the crash which left 79 people injured.
Investigations are ongoing following the crash which left 79 people injured
Neighbours described a man, who was arrested after dozens of people were injured, when a vehicle was driven into crowds, during Liverpool FC’s victory parade at the weekend, as a “genuinely pleasant family man”.
The 53-year-old, was detained by Merseyside Police on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drugs. He has not been named. On Wednesday, officers were granted more time to question him as the investigation continues.
The number of people injured in the incident has now risen to 79, with young children among those hurt. As of the latest police updateSeven people were still in hospital in a stable condition, reports the ECHO.
The man, who The Times has reported as being believed to be a business owner, lives in a Liverpool suburb, in a detached home, with his teacher wife and their children.
Social media posts show he has taken part in triathlons and enjoyed holidays to exotic destinations.
Police are continuing to examine what they described as "horrific" dashcam footage from the people carrier believed to have been used in the incident on Monday in the city centre.
A mechanic who serviced a dark grey Ford Galaxy owned by the family last year confirmed the vehicle matched the one involved.
Officers were seen outside the family's four-bedroom home following the arrest, which happened late on Monday night. One neighbour said:
"He was very thoughtful, and would look out for older residents in the street. I really struggle to believe how he could be the [arrested man]. He's the last person on this street I would have thought would be connected to something like that.
"I feel awfully sorry for the people who were hurt during the parade. But I feel very sorry for his family as well, who always struck me as nice, decent people."
Another neighbour recalled the suspect once coming over in the middle of the night to help when their alarm system malfunctioned.
A former resident of the same street said: "I briefly chatted to him six months ago. He seemed fairly normal, and as people go quite down to earth and a normal, well balanced guy."
He added: "He was quite proud of his oldest child, and he was telling me how well they were doing. I got the sense he's proud of his family."
Another former neighbour said the suspect's family were "very nice, very friendly", and had shown kindness to her elderly mother.
The crash is not being treated as a terrorist incident. Merseyside Police said they are reviewing CCTV from around the area as part of their investigation. It is also understood that dashcam footage from the suspect's vehicle is being examined and may be used as evidence in any future case.
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