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HORROR UNFOLDS
Cops reveal how car snaked through crowds of Liverpool fans before ‘rampage’ – as footage reveals moments before horror
Read on for a minute-by-minute breakdown of the horror event
COPS have revealed how a car snaked through crowds of Liverpool fans just minutes before a horror "rampage" unfolded.
There were 65 people injured when the vehicle smashed into supporters celebrating Liverpool's Premier League title win yesterday.
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Four children were among those hurt, with cops confirming a 53-year-old white British man was arrested at the scene.
The man, from West Derby, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving, and drug driving.
He is in custody and being questioned by cops, who are trawling CCTV across the city to track the car's path prior to the tragedy.
Footage taken from a shop showed the car edging through the crowds of supporters just two minutes before it accelerated down the street.
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It was filmed slowly driving down Dale Street through groups unaware fans - including children - before it turned onto Water Street.
Merseyside Police confirmed reports that the car tailgated an ambulance when a road block was momentarily lifted.
Police went on to say there was a total of 65 confirmed casualties.
Today, chilling scenes show discarded footie shirts, children's toys and flowers left by the police cordon as they investigate.
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In an update this afternoon, Merseyside Police said: "We had worked extensively for months ahead of the parade.
"Water Street was closed to traffic. It was believed the driver of the car was able to follow an ambulance as the road block was temporarily lifted for a member of the public suspected to be having a heart attack."
It was reiterated that the incident is not being treated as terrorism, and there was no intelligence suggesting the incident would take place.
"I can confirm that 50 people were treated at hospital and 11 remain for ongoing treatment but they are all in a stable condition and appear to be recovering well," cops added.
Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the terrible incident and asked people to refrain from speculating and sharing distressing footage.
The Prince and Princess of Wales said earlier that they are 'deeply saddened' over the tragic event.
King Charles, who is currently in Canada, added: "At this heartbreaking time for the people of Liverpool, I know that the strength of community spirit for which your city is renowned will be a comfort and support to those in need."
Mohamed Abbar, 31, witnessed the collision unfold outside his vape shop on Dale Street.
He told The Sun: “I looked outside and saw this guy driving through the crowd. People started to push his car and open the doors. I think he lost control. After that he just started hitting everyone.”
The shopkeeper said the vehicle had followed other cars driving down Dale Street towards The Strand.
He said he the driver was initially “driving normally” and “very slowly”, at around 5mph, before suddenly accelerating at pedestrians.
Liverpool fan Mohamed blamed police for only closing a section of the road to vehicles.
He added: “In my opinion it’s a problem with the police. This whole area should’ve been closed to cars.”
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
As the horror unfolded, brave fans had attempted to smash the car's windows to get at the driver when he stalled.
But he managed to start up again, piling into more screaming supporters as they tried to flee.
Police are currently considering how the car gained access to Water Street.
One line of enquiry is the car may have been attempting to follow an ambulance, according to the .
The city's metro mayor Steve Rotheram said questions about how the car was able to enter the road were "legitimate".
He said: "Water Street was not a route where vehicles were supposed to be using it, it was blocked off.
"At this end of it, which is the direction that it was coming in, towards The Strand, there were literally hundreds of thousands of people here, so no vehicle would have got through anyway.
"The questions, I suppose, are legitimate, but we have to give the police the time to conclude their investigations, which is what they're doing."
It emerged that four people in hospital are currently "very ill" following the horror crash.
Just a few hours earlier at 2.30pm, hundreds of thousands had packed the streets to watch an open-top bus tour as the team celebrated winning the Premier League.
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Some revellers climbed traffic lights to get a view of their heroes and crimson flares were set off during the ten-mile city tour.
It was the first time since 1990 Liverpool could celebrate a title win with a parade, their 2020 success coming during the pandemic.
But as the parade began to wind down just before 6pm, a dark grey Ford Galaxy suddenly appeared in Water Street.
Footage shows fans around the car moments before the incident took place - unaware of what was about to happen.
It reversed suddenly, bumping into a few annoyed revellers, before speeding forwards.
One mobile phone clip shows it colliding with dozens of screaming supporters before making a sharp right turn and stopping.
Seconds later, it turns to the left, and appears to hit several more before coming to a standstill.
Harry Rashid, 48, who was at the parade with his wife and two young daughters, said: “It happened about ten feet from us.
“We had no control over where we would be because the street was very narrow.
"The vehicle came to our right. It emerged from just right next to a parked ambulance.
“It pulled up from the right and rammed into all the people at the side of us. It was fast. The noise was terrifying.”
'People were screaming'
Daniel Eveson, from Telford, and his family were struck by the vehicle and his wife was admitted to hospital.
He said he will never go to a football parade again.
"My partner went under the wheel. The car went over her leg and she got dragged down the road.
"My little boy got taken 10, 12, 15ft down the road in his pram," he told BBC Shropshire.
"To start off, it was perfect. But it changed to the worst day of my life.
"People were screaming in terror. It struck me in my chest, my side.
"I didn't know where my boy was, if he was alive. Then I saw him alive - it was a lot to take on.
"I thought I'd lost everything. I don't think I will ever be able to go to a parade or a celebration again."
Mr Rashid, of Solihull, West Mids, described how crowds began trying to smash the car windows.
He said: “The driver stalled for a few seconds, probably about ten.
“Then loads of people a bit further back started rushing at him trying to smash his windows.
“But then he just ploughed through the rest of them.
“It was horrible. So many innocent people, fans just wanting to enjoy the parade, were hurt.”
He added: “I just wanted my kids to get off the road regardless. You’re just exposed there on the pavement.
“It was all horrendous, so horrendous.”
Video shows brave fans throwing bags at the vehicle and kicking it in a desperate attempt to slow it down.
Several sprinted after it as the driver continued down the road.
Despite their best efforts to stop the car, numerous people were thrown to the sides and some fell beneath the vehicle.
After pushing through dozens of footie fans for around 20m, the car came to a stop.
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.
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Ambulances, a hazardous area response team, MERIT doctors, and senior clinicians were quickly on scene to offer aid and treatment.
Emergency ambulances took patients to the Royal Liverpool, Alder Hey, Arrowe Park and Aintree Hospitals.
Merseyside Police issued a statement on the horror crash soon after.
The force quickly addressed the incident, saying: "We are currently dealing with reports of a road traffic collision in Liverpool city centre.
"We were contacted at just after 6pm today, Monday 26 May, following reports a car had been in collision with a number of pedestrians on Water Street.
"The car stopped at the scene and a male has been detained.
"Emergency services are currently on the scene. We will issue more updates as we have them."
The North West Ambulance Service released their own statement on the tragic incident.
"All of us at North West Ambulance Service are horrified and saddened that a day of celebration for the people of Liverpool could end in such terrible circumstances.
"Our thoughts are with everyone who witnessed the incident and those who have been injured.
"To the people of Liverpool, we are sorry this has happened to you today – we are all thinking of you."
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The fire services were told about the tragedy at 6.07pm and were on the scene within four minutes.
A Water Street witness, Peter Jones, 44, from the Isle of Man, said: “We heard a frantic beeping ahead and a car flew past me and my mate.
“People were chasing it and trying to stop him. A lot of people were injured.”
Daniel Jones, 28, said he was only feet from the people carrier when it was driven through a crowd of people.
He said: “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. It was a horrifying scene.”
A man from Belfast in his 30s outside the Riva restaurant said: “I was right by the car. One minute I was having the best day of my life. The next second, the worst.
“I’m so freaked out. I’d give up every title ever for that not to have happened.”
At around 7.30pm, reports said the Prime Minister and Home Secretary were being briefed.
Soon after, Sir Keir released a statement saying: "The scenes in Liverpool are appalling - my thoughts are with all those injured or affected.
"I want to thank the police and emergency services for their swift and ongoing response to this shocking incident.
"I'm being kept updated on developments and ask that we give the police the space they need to investigate."
Half an hour after that, Liverpool FC released a statement on X.
It read: "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."
Shortly after 8pm, police issued a further short statement confirming they had arrested a man thought to be the driver.
They said: "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.
"We would ask people not to share distressing content online but to send the footage or information directly to us."
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Shortly before 9pm, Yvette Cooper wrote on X: "Thank you to the police and emergency services for their swift response to the truly shocking and horrendous scenes in Liverpool this evening.
"Thinking of all those affected at this very difficult time. The police are investigating and I'm being kept updated on developments."
The mayor of 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."
By 9.30pm, the chaotic scenes had calmed down and the streets were cleared.
North West Ambulance Service said on X: "We have now cleared the scene following the incident in Liverpool and will be updating on casualty numbers at a press conference scheduled for later tonight."
The overwhelmed local hospitals urged members of the public not to call to ask about their loved ones.
NHS University Hospitals Liverpool Group said: "Following the incident in Liverpool city centre this evening, we know that many people are concerned about loved ones.
"Next of kin will be contacted, so please help us to manage the incident as best we can by refraining from calling our switchboard."
At 11pm, police updated the public via a press conference.
Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims thanked emergency services and called the evening a "terrible tragedy".
"What I can tell you is that 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 currently being treated as terrorism."
Today, Steve Rotheram, the Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor, revealed that four people in hospital are currently "very ill" following the horror crash.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "We are hoping, of course, that they pull through."
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The mayor was then asked if the update indicated an increase in the number of people seriously injured.
He replied: "No, not directly, but of course we’re in liaison with the police and the ambulance services.”
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Four kids among injured after white British man, 53, ‘ploughed’ car into Liverpool FC parade as cops rule out terror
By Patrick Harrington and Nawal Abdisamad
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Furious 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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