Many Liverpool fans were injured when a car was driven at speed through a crowd who had been watching their team’s victory parade through the streets (News 18)
In a shocking incident in Liverpool a car has driven into packed crowds on a busy street injuring 27 people, including four children.
Hundreds of thousands of football fans had filled the centre to greet their heroes as the newly crowned Premier League champions took a parade around the city.
Witnesses described how they heard horrifying screams and sickening thuds of bodies being struck as the vehicle accelerated along the narrow Water Street, close to the famous Liver Building.
Of the injured, two were said to be serious, one being a child and an air ambulance was called to the scene.
A 53-year-old white British man from the local area has been arrested by Merseyside Police.
Roads closed for safety
The parade by the players took place upon an open-top bus and followed a 10-mile route, which sensibly led to a number of road closures for the safety of pedestrians, with the City Council strongly recommending that people did not drive.
Sickening sound of impacts
It appears that shortly after 6pm and around 10 minutes after the parade bus had passed by, a grey people carrier pulled on to Water Street in the city centre, which was still heaving with joyous fans, thrilled at their football team’s success.
The vehicle seemingly rammed into anyone in its way at speed, and the noise of individuals bouncing off the car’s bonnet could be heard at the other end of the street.
People trapped under vehicle
There were screams and panic as raging supporters chased after the driver, throwing bottles and smashing the rear window.
The people carrier stalled, but then began to move again before being penned in by an ambulance and coming to an abrupt halt, trapping several pedestrians underneath its wheels.
“No intention of stopping”
An eyewitness told how suddenly a dark blue car “just came through the crowd and it had no intention of stopping”.
People were lying unconscious on the ground, as others looked shocked and bewildered as their afternoon of excitement and elation had turned so horrendously the other way.
Local restaurants opened their doors to help the injured after the incident.
Fire service quickly remove those trapped
Chief Fire Officer of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, Nick Searle, explained how on his team’s arrival at the scene, there were numerous people injured and four people were trapped under the vehicle.
Three of these were adults and one was a child. He confirmed that they had been able to quickly remove those individuals and had passed them onto the ambulance service to administer aid.
Child seriously injured
David Kitchen of the North West Ambulance Service clarified that 20 people were treated at scene for minor injuries, but 27 others had been transferred to various hospitals across Liverpool.
He told the waiting press: “Sadly four of the injured were children, and one of those is in a serious condition, as is one adult.”
Not thought to be terror related
Merseyside Police’s Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims confirmed that a 53-year-old white British man had been arrested, and she thanked the public who came to the assistance of those who had been hurt.
She also said that at this early stage the incident is NOT being treated as an act of terrorism.
PM “appalled” by incident
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, called the incident “appalling”, and added that his thoughts were with all those injured or affected.
He thanked the police and emergency services for their “swift and ongoing response”.
Liverpool FC statement
Liverpool Football Club released a short statement: “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.”
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