Around 50 people have been injured after a car ploughed into crowds of Liverpool fans during the team’s Premier League victory parade.
The driver has been arrested after the incident in Water Street, as thousands of fans gathered in the city centre to celebrate on Bank Holiday Monday.
Four people are still ‘very, very ill in hospital,’ Liverpool City Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said this morning.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live: ‘We are hoping of course that they pull through very, very quickly.’
Last night, ambulance service chief Dave Kitchin told a press conference that two of those taken to hospital, including a child, suffered serious injuries.
Nick Searle, the head of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, said four people had been trapped underneath the grey people carrier which hit fans, including a child, and had to be rescued by firefighters lifting it up.
Dramatic footage captured the scenes of panic and chaos as people fled the area.
Merseyside Police said the man they believe to be the driver is a 53-year-old man, described as white British and from the local area.
Here’s everything we know so far.
What happened at the Liverpool parade?
Merseyside Police said they received reports just after 6pm that a car had collided with ‘a number of pedestrians’ on Water Street.
Just before 8pm, the police said the driver had been arrested.
Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims told the press conference that the incident was not being treated as terrorism, though it had earlier been reported that Counter Terrorism Policing North West were supporting the force.
Witness Les Winsper, 55, told The Guardian how the incident unfolded in front of him.
He said: ‘People started banging on the (car) windows. Then they smashed the windows and he panicked and put his foot down.
‘He then hit someone and that person has gone in the air and he’s ploughed through the rest of them. I’ve never seen anything like it.’
One woman told how she jumped out of the way of the car.
Chelsea told BBC Radio 5 Live: ‘We heard beeping and screaming and as we looked up the car was coming directly for us and for everybody else and we just jumped, I grabbed my friend to jump out the way and she grabbed her daughter, and it just skimmed us.
‘It must’ve been going about 30mph and then we were just in shock that we just nearly got run over but we didn’t really know the gravity of it at that point and we were just in shock, then we saw everybody chasing the car afterwards with all the windows smashed.’
She added: ‘All of a sudden you just saw people lying on the floor and several police officers running towards the scene.’
Another witness, who was walking with a group of friends, said he saw a car ‘speeding up’ and hitting pedestrians.
Mike Maddra said the ‘car turned left, mounted pavement, come towards us and runs towards the buildings’.
He said ‘we got out the way and it was speeding up’.
Enquiries are ongoing to find out what happened, with a large, blue forensic tent set up at the scene.
The streets were lined with thousands of fans at the time of the crash, who were celebrating the Reds’ Premier League success before jubiliation turned to horror and disbelief.
Did anyone die at the Liverpool parade and how many were injured?
There were no fatal casualties at the scene, however two people were seriously hurt and remain in hospital.
Ambulance service boss Mr Kitchin said: ‘Sadly, four of the injured were children who were enjoying the day with their friends and their families.’
He said that 27 people were taken to hospital by ambulance, 20 people were treated for minor injuries at the scene but did not need further treatment, while others made their own way to hospital.
Some fans were seen being taken away on a stretcher after the collision.
Casualties were taken to four local hospitals: The Royal Liverpool, Alder Hey, Arrowe Park and Aintree.
Mr Kitchin said: ‘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.’
One of those hit by the vehicle was a cyclist paramedic, he added, ‘but I’m pleased to report that no injuries were sustained’.
He siad that given the large crowds expected, there had already been a major presence from ambulance services, which allowed them to respond quickly with treatment.
Nick Searle, the head of the city’s fire and rescue service, said they were on scene with three fire engines within four minutes.
‘On arrival, the crews were met with numerous injured people and four persons trapped under a vehicle,’ he said. ‘Our crews rapidly lifted the vehicle, removed three adults and one child from beneath, and passed them to our ambulance service colleagues.’
Are there any suspects in the Liverpool parade crash?
A 53-year-old white British man, who is from Liverpool, has been arrested, police have said.
They said they believed him to be the driver of the vehicle, and he stopped at the scene.
Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said the police believe it’s an ‘isolated incident’ and they aren’t currently looking for anyone else in relation to it.
No further details have yet been given.
What have officials said about the Liverpool parade?
Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said the ‘horrific incident’ had come on what had been a ‘joyous day in Liverpool with hundreds of thousands of people lining the streets to celebrate Liverpool Football Club’s victory parade’.
She told a press conference at around 11pm: ‘A number of people have been injured and were taken to hospital. In addition, a large number of people of all ages were treated at the scene, but did not require hospital treatment.’
Calling for people not to ‘speculate or spread misinformation on social media’, she said extensive inquiries are ongoing but they believe this to be an ‘isolated incident’ and ‘we are not currently looking for anyone else in relation to it’.
She added that a ‘robust’ traffic management plan had been in place for the parade, with road closures throughout the route and city centre.
Urging people not to share ‘distressing footage’ online, she called for videos to instead be passed to the police.
Liam Robinson, the leader of Liverpool City Council, said: ‘We will provide relevant updates as and when we know more, and it’s appropriate to do so.
‘Once again, our hearts go out to all of those affected.
‘Liverpool is a city that has a proud history of coming together and supporting each other during challenging times. I have no doubt that will again be the case over the coming days and weeks.’
Liverpool and Everton football clubs react after the Liverpool parade
Both the city’s football clubs have united in their response, saying they are supporting police in the investigation.
Liverpool FC said on X: ‘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.’
Responding to Liverpool’s post, Everton said: ‘Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by this serious incident in our city.’
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher added: ‘Devastating end to the day… just pray everyone is okay.’
The Premier League also released a statement on the ‘shocking and appalling events in Liverpool’.
‘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,’ they said.
‘We have been in contact with Liverpool FC and have offered our full support following this serious incident.’
How many people were at the Liverpool parade?
Around 800,000 people lined the 10-mile route around the city to watch the trophy parade.
Crowds started gathering at 8am in the morning to catch a glimpse of Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Birmingham New Street Station was left full of Liverpool fans by mid-morning trying to reach the city.
The Liverpool bus slowly made its way along The Strand with the air filled with red smoke.
What has Sir Keir Starmer said about the Liverpool attack?
The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has been kept up to date on the latest developments in Liverpool.
In a statement, he said: ‘The scenes in Liverpool are appalling – my thoughts are with all those injured or affected.’
He later added: ‘Tonight, I have spoken to Steve Rotheram about the terrible events in Liverpool and the remarkable bravery shown by the police and other emergency services.
‘Everyone, especially children, should be able to celebrate their heroes without this horror.
‘Liverpool stands together and the whole country stands with Liverpool.’
He also posted on X: ‘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.’
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