What was meant to be a day of celebration turned tragic after a car crashed into a crowd during Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory parade on Bank Holiday Monday, leaving at least 65 people injured. The driver, a 53-year-old man from West Derby, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving, and driving under the influence of drugs.
Merseyside Police confirmed the man used a Ford Galaxy vehicle to enter Water Street by tailgating an ambulance that was attending to a medical emergency. Shortly after 6pm, the vehicle struck a densely packed group of fans outside a bar. The suspect is currently in police custody as investigations continue.
According to the police, 50 people were taken to hospital, including several children. Eleven of the injured remain hospitalised in stable condition. A heavy police cordon remains in place around the scene.
Detective Chief Superintendent Karen Jaundrill confirmed 65 casualties in total and stressed that the incident is not being treated as terrorism. “We had no intelligence to suggest this would happen. We urge the public not to speculate as we investigate the full circumstances,” she said.
Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims defended the police’s crowd management, saying road closures and emergency response plans were already in place. She explained the car gained access only because officers temporarily lifted a roadblock for an ambulance responding to a suspected heart attack nearby.
However, the crash raised questions about event security. Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said it was legitimate to ask how a vehicle managed to enter a restricted area.
Among those injured was Robbie Potter, a survivor of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing. “I thought it was happening again. How did a car get through?” he said.
Daniel Eveson, who was attending the parade with his partner and baby son, described the moment the car struck them. “I thought I’d lost everything,” he told the BBC. His partner was dragged under the wheels, and their baby’s pram was flung down the street. Thankfully, both survived.
Another fan, Jack Trotter from Northern Ireland, said he was hit alongside his girlfriend, Abbie. “People were screaming and flying. It was just terror, pure terror,” he said.
Support has poured in for the victims. King Charles III sent his condolences, while the Prince and Princess of Wales said they were “deeply saddened.” Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard and former manager Jürgen Klopp both expressed their shock and support for those affected.
Police continue to appeal for witnesses and video footage from the scene. Water Street remains closed as forensic teams investigate.
