Liverpool crash latest: Driver held over attempted murder and drug driving after car injured 65 in ‘rampage’
A DRIVER is being held over attempted murder and drug driving after a car ploughed into a crowd of fans celebrating Liverpool's Premier League title win.
Four children were among 65 people injured as a 53-year-old white British man from west Derby was arrested at the scene.
Merseyside Police confirmed reports the Ford Galaxy car followed an ambulance after a road block was temporarily lifted so paramedics could help a man who suffered a suspected heart attack.
Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims added eleven people remain in hospital and all are in a stable condition and appear to be recovering well.
The force said the man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drugs.
Cops also clarified the incident was not being treated as terrorism during a press conference.
It comes after the King said he was "deeply shocked and saddened" by the crash during the title parade.
He added: "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 scenes on Monday.
William, who is patron of the Football Association, and his wife Kate said in a personal message on social media: "What should have been a joyful celebration ended with tragedy.
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"Our thoughts are with those who were injured and to the first responders and emergency services on the ground. W & C."
Footage taken from a shop showed the car edging through the crowds of supporters just two minutes before it accelerated down the street.
It was filmed slowly driving down Dale Street through groups unaware fans - including children - before it turned onto Water Street.
Latest police update - 53-year-old arrested
Merseyside Police 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."
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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: "The scenes in Liverpool are appalling.
"My thoughts are with all those injured or affected."
He added that he was “being kept updated on developments".
Starmer also asked people to "give the police the space they need to investigate”.
PM being updated
Emergency services are still dealing with the incident.
The Prime Minster, Keir Starmer, is reportedly being kept updated as more information comes to light.
An air ambulance rushed to the scene and landed near the Liver Building, with a numerous police cars, ambulances and fire engines lining the streets.
Footage from Water Street shows a heavy police presence and a cordon around the scene.
Credit: AFP
Makeshift A&E
Reports in Liverpool are claiming Italian restaurant, Riva Blu, is being used as a makeshift A&E.
The local report claims a number of pedestrians are being treated inside by emergency crews.
The male driver of the vehicle has been arrested.
Crash update
The horror incident occurred around 6pm, just as the Liverpool trophy parade was coming to its end.
Police and ambulance crews raced to the scene with reports of numerous injured pedestrians.
A spokesperson for the North West Ambulance Service said: "NWAS is supporting an incident in Liverpool city centre, following reports of a road traffic collision.
"We are currently assessing the situation and working with other members of the emergency services. Our priority is to ensure people receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible."
Police statement
Merseyside Police have confirmed there has been an incident in Liverpool city centre during the latter stages of the parade.
A vehicle has collided with multiple pedestrians on Water Street.
A spokesperson said: "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."
More details to come as we get them.
'Absolutely magnificent'
One man who knows all about winning with Liverpool is Bruce Grobbelaar.
The legendary goalkeeper won six league titles, three FA Cups and one European Cup during his time at Anfield.
But today's scenes blew him away.
Grobbelaar told the BBC: "This can only happen in one city - and that is Liverpool.
"This supersedes any [parade] I've been on, and I've been on six.
"It's absolutely magnificent for the players, and for them to see the turnout.
"These numbers are absolutely mindblowing. Players will look at this and say 'wow'.
"That's Liverpool Football Club, the sea of red - unbelievable".
The big finish
Just look at these scenes as the Liverpool bus cruised along the Strand.
Talk about a big finish...
Here's some of the best pics from the latter stages of the parade.
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Credit: Reuters What's next then?
Well, for Liverpool it could be a busy summer in the transfer market.
While Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk renewed their contracts and will leave, Trent Alexander-Arnold is gone - likely to Real Madrid.
As mentioned at the start of this parade, Arne Slot only welcomed Federico Chiesa last summer and is believed to have a monster kitty to play with this summer.
Jeremie Frimpong is expected to arrive to replace Trent in a deal worth just £30million - a real bargain for a gem of a player.
Elsewhere, Liverpool could cash in on the likes of Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz to fund a move for a superstar striker.
There's no doubt Alexander Isak would be the No1 target, but a move is deemed unlikely for the £150m-rated Newcastle striker.
Giorgi Mamardashvili will return from his loan at Valencia to provide competition for Alisson, which could mean Caoimhin Kelleher finally gets his well-deserved No1 gig after years of being the best second-choice keeper in world football.
But the big story is Florian Wirtz, the Bayer Leverkusen star once destined to join Bayer Munich or Manchester City.
City have now pulled out of any deal, expected to be around £126m and Bayern chiefs are believed to be concerned by Liverpool's approach after a whirlwind talks.
Well-respected sources in Germany even claim Wirtz has been house-hunting in England...
What a view
The iconic heart of Liverpool.
The Liver Building.
Peeking out over a sea of red smoke and Reds fans.
A proud day for this proud city.
Credit: Getty And there it is...
...it's over.
The bus has raced away from the Liver Building, the iconic hub of Merseyside.
And finally, the police and security who've walked, jogged and run alongside the bus for nearly 10 MILES get a breather. Some shift from them.
Stay tuned for more reaction and the best pics.
But for now, Liverpool are Premier League champions, and what a way to celebrate it.
Many wonder if the Reds can do it all again in 2025-26.
I'd wager not a soul in Merseyside cares right now.
Love, in the heart of the city
The players are right in amongst it now.
We're moments away from reaching the end of the parade and the grand finale in the heart of Liverpool.
And the mood? Well, see for yourself.
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Credit: AFP Photodump time
Let's have a quick round up of the picture highlights from the past hour or so.
The bus is right in the heart of Liverpool now, so we'll get you those pictures shortly.
For now, feast your eyes... (and scroll down for a cheeky bit of Gary Neville banter).
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Lemme hear ya!
I reckon you could hear this in SunSport HQ in London right now.
The noise is something else, the fans are really making themselves heard.
This is their time to shine after a long shift in the rain just waiting to catch a glimpse of the Kop squad.
Liverpool fans felt robbed of this sort of party in 2020 having finally broken their Premier League title drought after Covid ruined the party.
This really is two massive title parties rolled into one.
Just imagine what it feels like to be a player aboard that bus, right now, though. Unreal.
Grand finale
It's getting about that time.
The bus has crept through what feels like all of Merseyside over the past three-and-a-bit hours.
But now it's getting one heck of a show alongside the famous Liverpool waterfront.
The crowd is electric. There is not a single inch to spare.
Fans have queued for nine hours in some cases to bagsy a prime spot.
And they are pumped.
Liverpool players are, too - with Ibrahima Konate dangling off the side of the bus!
Sounds more dramatic than it is, it's just one leg hanging over the side, but... rather you than me, fella.
I'll have a hunt for that picture, but in the meantime, here he is in all of his glory earlier this afternoon.
Credit: Alamy
Focus on the present
Yes, but also... it's hard not to look to the future.
Check out the young lad in the bottom right of this picture: Conor Bradley.
He's bound to get some column inches this summer, with Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving and Jeremie Frimpong tipped to arrive.
Bradley, 21, has impressed at right-back whenever he's played.
Perhaps not as attack-minded as Trent, but arguably better defensively.
Frimpong will be like neither of them: pacey and direct, rather than a sprayer of passes and set-pieces or end-to-end engine.
It will be an interesting saga to follow this summer for Liverpool fans.
Anyway, enough business... back to the parade!
Credit: AFP Party time
The players are really feeling this now.
We're building to a crescendo as we get closer to the big finish.
Let's check out the best of the latest pics.
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Credit: PA One to frame, Trent?
This is some picture.
As farewells go, I can think of worse.
Trent has burst into life this parade as we head towards the finale.
And this picture is sensational - just him poking out of the confetti cannon and flare smoke.
Credit: PA Where's Arne? Part II
Arne Slot has just been interviewed and called it "by far the No1 moment" of his career.
He's loving life on the bus, just as much as the players.
But can you spot him in this picture?
Credit: AFP Mo-ment to savour
The trophy is getting a bit more love now, far more lifts from the players.
Most-recently? Mo Salah. The Reds' best player last season.
If anyone ever deserved to lift it, it's him.
And, crucially, he's staying at Anfield!
Credit: AFP Front and centre
Trent Alexander-Arnold has spent much of this parade with old mates Andy Robertson and Joe Gomez at the back of the bus.
Right now, though? He's front and centre and taking it all in, in his hoodie and shades.
Mixed feelings for the local lad, you'd imagine...
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Parade tracker
So how far from the end are we?
Well, the bus is currently about 2 miles away from the finish line.
Normally that'd take a couple of minutes - but I've got a hunch we could be here a while longer!
Absolute scenes
The streets are packed in a sea of red.
Fans are loving every moment.
One person NOT loving the moment? The driver of the Arriva bus who somehow made their way onto the parade route and got stuck.
That's what local reports are claiming... iconic moment.
Credit: AP What an atmosphere
There is no sign of this party slowing down.
In fact, as we get closer and closer to the bus' end point, it's getting more and more lively.
Fans are making the most of their Bank Holiday out in their tens of thousands. Probably more like hundreds of thousands, really.
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Credit: PA Double double Dutch
There's a strong Dutch contingent in this Liverpool side.
The gaffer: Arne Slot.
The captain: Virgil van Dijk.
Best player not named Mo Salah: Ryan Gravenberch.
Mr Versatile: Cody Gakpo.
And right now it's Van Dijk hyping up the crowd.
He's got the trophy in his hands, holds it aloft and the crowd are LOVING it.
With Jeremie Frimpong expected to come, Liverpool fans have a lot to love about Holland right now.