A celebratory evening in Liverpool turned to horror after a car drove through a crowd of jubilant fans during Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory parade. The incident occurred just after 6:00 p.m. on Water Street, not far from the parade route where thousands had gathered to cheer their team’s triumph.
Merseyside Police confirmed that a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area was arrested at the scene. The vehicle reportedly collided with multiple pedestrians before coming to a stop. Police have ruled out terrorism, stating the motive does not appear to be politically, religiously, or ideologically driven.
According to emergency services, 27 people were taken to hospital, with two including a child seriously injured. Another 20 individuals were treated on-site. Four children were among those hurt, and emergency crews had to lift four people, including a child, from underneath the vehicle.
Eyewitnesses described the terrifying moments as the car surged into the crowd. BBC reporter Matt Cole recounted how the vehicle “just wasn’t stopping” and appeared to be trying to barge through the mass of people. Others reported the driver was beeping and accelerating as he moved through the crowd.
Video footage circulating on social media shows the car striking individuals, accelerating, and then coming to a halt as bystanders surrounded and struck the vehicle. The back windscreen of the car was shattered, and panic spread through the crowd.
Water Street, where the incident took place, is close to the Strand, where the Liverpool FC team had paraded the Premier League trophy atop a team bus. The attack occurred roughly a mile before the parade’s finishing point.
Leaders across the political and sporting spectrum expressed shock. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the “scenes in Liverpool are appalling,” while both Liverpool FC and Everton FC offered support and sympathy to those affected.
Liverpool FC has reportedly postponed post-parade celebrations, and the Premier League issued a statement extending support to the club and victims.
Mayor Steve Rotherham summed up the mood: what began as a “day of absolute celebration” was tragically “overshadowed” by an incident still under police investigation.
