Nearly 50 people were injured after a car ploughed into a crowd during Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory parade on Monday evening, turning what was meant to be a day of celebration into one of chaos and fear.
The incident occurred in Liverpool city centre, near the Royal Liver Building and town hall, on Water Street shortly after roads had reopened following the main parade. A 53-year-old man was arrested at the scene and is believed to be the driver of the vehicle involved in the collision.
Thousands of Liverpool fans had gathered to celebrate the club’s Premier League title when jubilation quickly gave way to panic as emergency services rushed to the scene at about 6pm. The crowd was caught off guard by the sudden and violent collision, leaving many injured and some in serious condition.
Medical teams worked swiftly to provide aid, with 27 people taken to hospital and an additional 20 treated at the scene. Among the injured were four children, with two people, including one child, reported to have sustained serious injuries. Several of the victims were treated for shock as well as physical injuries.
Police confirmed that the incident is not being treated as terrorism, and authorities are not currently seeking anyone else in connection with the collision. A strong police presence remained at the scene throughout the evening, alongside numerous ambulances and fire engines.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of horror and confusion. One bystander recounted seeing the vehicle speed through the crowd, striking people and causing panic. “People started banging on the car windows, then they smashed them. The driver panicked, put his foot down, and hit someone who was thrown into the air before ploughing through the rest of the crowd,” a witness said. He described it as the worst thing he had ever seen, with children crying and many shaken by the traumatic event.
Others recalled the chaos lasting between 20 and 30 seconds, with cries and screams filling the air. St John ambulance workers were among the first to respond and were later comforted after witnessing the distressing scene.
Footage captured by onlookers showed people running away in terror, some injured and bleeding, while others tried to rush toward the vehicle to stop it. One man who attended the parade with his family narrowly escaped being hit himself and described the car’s relentless drive through the crowd, with the rear windshield smashed and the vehicle seemingly determined not to stop.
Another witness observed the vehicle reverse briefly before accelerating deliberately into the crowd. People nearby tried to smash the windows again, but the driver sped off, running over those in his path.
The driver’s motives remain unclear. Some suggest he may have accidentally hit a person and then panicked, while others believe the act appeared deliberate. The incident occurred near an ambulance parked on the street, which responders quickly used to treat the wounded.
Emergency services arrived within seconds, but the large and densely packed crowd made it difficult to reach all the injured immediately. Families with children tried to move to safety amid the confusion and shock.
Local authorities, including the mayor, expressed their condolences and support for those affected. The city’s mayor described it as a “difficult day” for the region but emphasized the community’s resilience and gratitude toward first responders.
Liverpool FC released a statement offering thoughts and prayers to those injured and pledged full support to emergency services and local authorities managing the aftermath.
The prime minister called the scenes “appalling” and thanked police and emergency workers for their swift and professional response. The police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision as the city begins to process the traumatic event.
By late evening, the scene was cleared, but the impact of the incident was deeply felt by fans, residents, and emergency responders alike. The day that began as a joyous celebration of Liverpool’s footballing triumph had been overshadowed by a tragic and shocking act, leaving many injured and a community in mourning.
