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PARADE HORROR
Four kids among 47 injured after white British man, 53, ‘ploughed’ car into Liverpool FC parade as cops rule out terror
Emergency crews arrived to find people lying injured in the road and some trapped under the car
FOUR children are among 47 people injured after a car ploughed "full-throttle" into a crowd at Liverpool FC's Premier League victory parade.
A 53-year-old white British man from the Merseyside area was arrested at the scene and is believed to have been the driver of the car.
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What we know so far:
- A car collided with multiple pedestrians when it drove into a crowd on Water Street, Liverpool city centre
- The incident happened just after 6pm as Liverpool FC's victory parade was coming to an end
- Police have arrested a 53-year-old white British man from Liverpool who they believe to be the driver
- The incident is not being treated as terror-related and police are not looking for anyone else
- Four children were among 27 people taken to hospital and 20 treated at the scene
- Manchester Arena attack survivor describes being knocked to the ground
- Follow our live blog for all the latest updates
The disturbing events followed a day of jubilation in Liverpool after The Reds lifted the Premiere League trophy on Sunday.
An estimated half a million people had lined the streets to celebrate the win, despite the miserable weather.
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But as the parade began to wind down at 6pm, carnage unfolded.
The devastating scenes saw a dark grey Ford Galaxy accelerating and making a sharp-right turn into the milling fans, including young families.
Distressing footage shows the car moments before it ploughed into the crowd.
It was in the midst of footie fans, with some appearing agitated and one reaching for the car door handle.
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The driver swung the door closed before putting his foot down as shocked pedestrians watched on in horror.
Some gave chase, attacking the car in a desperate bid to stop it.
Despite their efforts, numerous people were thrown to the sides and some fell beneath the rampaging vehicle.
After pushing through dozens of footie fans for around 20m, the car came to a stop and the driver was arrested at the scene.
Fearless fans rushed the vehicle, battering it and smashing through the windows.
Cops then had to fight back the fuming pedestrians who were trying to get at the suspect in the back of a police van.
Fire crews arrived to find four people trapped under the vehicle, including a child, and worked quickly to free them.
Around 27 people were rushed to hospital, two - including a child -had serious injuries.
said 20 were treated at the scene, with more patients self-presenting later on
Haunting photos show fans kitted out in their footie merchandise with blankets around their shoulders, supported and kept on their feet by emergency services.
Liverpool city council leader Liam Robinson said the ordeal "cast a very dark shadow over what had been a joyous day".
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Merseyside Police said the suspect is white, British, and from the Liverpool area.
The incident is not being treated as terror-related and they are not looking for anyone else in their investigation.
North West Ambulance Service announced the road had been cleared just before 9:30pm, but a forensics tent remains at the scene.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: "The scenes in Liverpool are appalling — my thoughts are with all those injured or affected."
He later praised the “remarkable bravery” shown by the emergency services in Liverpool and added: “Everyone, especially children, should be able to celebrate their heroes without this horror.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the scenes as "truly shocking" and thanked the emergency services for their "swift response".
Those who saw the carnage unfold told of "horrifying" scenes.
Daniel Jones, 28, was on Water Street celebrating when the van ploughed through the crowd only a few feet away from him.
He told The Sun: “Luckily my wife had just gone up to the hotel with my three-year-old son.
“I dread to think what would have happened if they hadn’t done that. I was horrified. I was scared.
“There were paramedics on their hands and knees treating wounded people. It was a horrifying scene."
The civil engineer added that as soon as the car stopped, those who had not been hit crowded the vehicle.
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Merseyside Police are leading the investigation and were initially supported by counter-terrorism police.
The force asked people to avoid speculating on the "circumstances surrounding the incident on Water Street in Liverpool city centre".
The force added: "We would ask people not to share distressing content online but to send the footage or information directly to us @MerPolCC or pass on information by calling 101 quoting log 784."
Witness Hayley, 42, from Liverpool, told The Sun: “It’s shocking - it’s just so sad. I’d only gone into town because we have a son who’s autistic and we were getting him some music equipment and seeing family.
“This car just went erratic and I could hear everyone screaming - everyone assumed it was a terrorist attack. We don’t know how the car got onto Water Street - it should have never been there.
“He went full throttle into the crowd. I was terrified, I was with my disabled son. There were people rolling off the car and going under the tyres. I reckon he knocked down about 40 people.”
Natasha Rinaldi, who was watching the parade from her friend's living room, told Sky News: "It was so loud. People sounded desperate.
"And then we looked out the window and we saw the car [had] run over people.
"Then people started rushing to go after the driver and they tried to break the car. The police did everything to block and to push people away.
"We could just hear screams and screams. We were very confused."
Peter Jones, 44, from the Isle of Man, attended the parade and described the incident as "shocking".
He said: "We were walking up Water Street, thousands around us.
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"We heard a frantic beeping ahead, a car flew past me and my mate, people were chasing it and trying to stop him, windows smashed at the back.
"He then drove into people, police and medics ran past us, and people were being treated on the side of the road.
"There were a lot injured. We heard it behind us hit the crowds, then we saw half a dozen people [injured] in the road as we were walking up."
"It was shocking. We're back at our hotel now, in a bit of a shock."
Harry Rashid, 48, from Solihull, was at the parade with his wife and two young daughters when he witnessed the collision.
"This grey people carrier just pulled up from the right and just rammed into all the people at the side of us.
He added: "It was extremely fast. Initially, we just heard the pop, pop, pop of people just being knocked off the bonnet of a car.
Chelsea Yuen was walking with her friend and her young daughter, and just managed to avoid the car.
She told : "It was jam packed, we were like sardines walking up the street, then we heard beeping and screaming.
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"As we looked up, there was a black people carrier driving straight towards us, and me and my friend jumped out of the way and pulled her little girl away.
"It must have been going about 30mph and as it went past we could see all the windows all smashed in with people chasing down the car."
Liverpool FC released a statement on Monday evening saying: "We are in direct contact with Merseyside Police regarding the incident on Water Street which happened towards the end of the trophy parade earlier this evening.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this serious incident.
"We will continue to offer our full support to the emergency services and local authorities who are dealing with this incident."
A spokesman for the Premier League said: "Everyone at the Premier League is shocked by the appalling events in Liverpool this evening, and our heartfelt thoughts go out to all those injured and affected.
"We have been in contact with Liverpool FC and have offered our full support following this serious incident."
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Justin Madders, the Labour MP for nearby Ellesmere Port and Bromborough, added: "This is appalling - a victory parade turned into such awful scenes - I hope everyone who needs it gets swift treatment and the police and emergency services are able to get on with their jobs."
And Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “Our hearts go out to all of those affected, especially those who have been injured.
“Thank you, as ever, to the first responders for their professionalism and swift action. This is a difficult day for our city region, but we stand together.”
Tens of thousands of supporters had flooded the city centre - dancing and waving flags as they braved the wet weather.
Liverpool bagged the trophy after beating Tottenham 5-1 at Anfield last month, marking their 20th English title win.
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Liverpool last won the trophy during the COVID pandemic when celebrations were not permitted due to lockdowns.
Earlier on Monday afternoon, players waved to the cheering crowds after fans travelled thousands of miles and braved the rain to catch a glimpse of their heroes.
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