Four people are said to be ‘very, very ill’ in hospital after a motorist plowed into a crowd of Liverpool FC supporters who had descended on the city center for the club’s victory parade.
Merseyside Police has confirmed that a 53-year-old white British man – whom they believe was the driver – is currently in custody in connection with the incident, which took place on Water Street in Liverpool, yesterday (May 26), shortly after 6pm local time.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Liverpool City Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram explained this morning that there are ‘still four people who are very, very ill in hospital’.
“We are hoping of course that they pull through,” he adds.
While the head of North West Ambulance Service, Dave Kitchin, provided insight into how many people sustained injuries as a result of the rampage while speaking at a press conference last night.
The parade began at Allerton Maze in the south of the city (Liverpool City Council)
“We can confirm that our teams treated 20 patients at the scene for minor injuries – these did not need hospital treatment,” he told reporters.
“Twenty-seven patients in total were taken to hospital by ambulance and we believe two of those, including one of the children, have sustained injuries deemed to be serious.
“Our cyclist paramedic was also unfortunately struck by the vehicle, but we are pleased to report that no injuries were sustained. We also know some patients have self-presented at local hospitals.”
A timeline has been created tracking the moments prior to the incident taking place, as well as when it did and the aftermath.
2.30pm
Liverpool FC’s open-top bus parade started, with the soccer champions showcasing the Premier League trophy to hundreds of thousands of their fans who had flocked to the city to celebrate.
It is the first time the club has won the top flight in front of their fans. The last time Liverpool won the trophy was in the 2019/20 season which coincided with the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, and so the team were unable to have an open-top bus parade due to restrictions.
The parade officially started at Allerton Maze, yesterday at 2.30pm, and was expected to last four hours.
Hundreds of thousands of Liverpool supporters were believed to have been in attendance for the club’s victory parade (DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)
5.48pm
The open-top bus paraded through the Strand, with team captain Virgil van Dijk, Premier League golden boot winner Mo Salah and the rest of the Liverpool players joined by Calvin Harris – who was DJing at the helm.
The singer’s ‘One Kiss’ was playing as players were greeted by a sea of red, as flares and fireworks erupted in the city.
6pm
Disaster struck on Water Street, which is located off Strand Street, shortly after 6pm.
Harrowing footage circulating online shows a motorist blasting their horn at supporters in the city center prior to accelerating into the crowd, before coming to a stop at the scene. A man was subsequently arrested.
Of the 47 people injured, two are understood to be seriously injured, including a child.
6.11pm
Fire crews were in attendance at the scene, with the service deployed to help free four people – including a child, from underneath the car that plowed through the crowd.
Speaking at a press conference last night, chief fire officer Nick Searle, of Mersey Fire and Rescue Service, later told reporters: “Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service were informed at 1807, we immediately mobilised 3 fire engines to Water Street and were in attendance in 4 minutes.
“On arrival the crews were met with numerous injured people and 4 persons trapped under a vehicle.
“Our crews rapidly lifted the vehicle, removed people from beneath and passed them to our Ambulance colleagues. We then worked with emergency service partners to ensure casualties received medical treatment and transport to hospital as quickly as possible.”
Water Street was cordoned off by police, using the force’s vehicles, as well as fire engines, to help do so. Medics were also seen treating victims of the collision on the street.
6.54pm
Merseyside Police announced that a man had been detained in relation to the incident.
Its statement read: “We are currently dealing with reports of a road traffic collision in Liverpool city centre.
“We were contacted at just after 18:00 today, following reports a car had been in collision with a number of pedestrians on Water Street.
“The car stopped at the scene and a male has been detained. Emergency services are currently on the scene.”
A large emergency service presence pictured on Water Street yesterday after a car ploughed into a crowd (Getty Images)
7.33pm
UK prime minister Keir Starmer spoke out on the incident.
The Labour leader wrote: “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.
“I’m being kept updated on developments and ask that we give the police the space they need to investigate.”
8.05pm
Liverpool FC released a statement on the rampage: “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.”
8.17pm
Authorities confirmed that a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area had been arrested.
They added: “We would ask people not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding tonight’s incident on Water Street in Liverpool city centre.
“Extensive enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances leading up to the collision.”
10.55pm
A press conference was held by authorities, with Merseyside Police stating that it believed the man arrested was the motorist.
Assistant chief constable Jenny Sims said: “The car stopped at the scene and a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area was arrested. We believe him to be the driver of the vehicle.
“Extensive enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances leading up to the collision and it is vital that people do not speculate or spread misinformation on social media.
“I know that people will understandably be concerned by what has happened tonight.
“What I can tell you is that we believe this to be an isolated incident and we are not currently looking for anyone else in relation to it. The incident is not currently being treated as terrorism.”
Witnesses in Liverpool, UK, have shared what they saw when a man plowed into crowds of soccer fans.
Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said the incident was not being treated as terrorism and was believed to be an isolated incident following the arrest of a 53-year-old man at the scene. The force said the suspect was thought to be the driver of the car. He is white, British and from the Liverpool area, UK.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he had spoken to the Mayor of Liverpool about the incident, adding: “Everyone, especially children, should be able to celebrate their heroes without this horror.”
At a press conference on Monday evening (May 26), Dave Kitchin from North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) said 27 people were taken to hospital and 20 people were treated at the scene, with four children among the injured.
He said two of those taken to hospital, including one of the children, suffered serious injuries.
In total it’s been reported that 47 people have been left wounded.
Nick Searle, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service chief fire officer, said four people who were trapped under the car, including a child, were rescued by firefighters.
Footage circulating online appeared to show the vehicle speed up as it veered into pedestrians on both sides of the crowded street.
Officers surrounded the car as witnesses attempted to stop the driver, who was eventually detained by police.
Witness Les Winsper, 55, told The Guardian of how the incident unfolded in front of him.
He told the newspaper: “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 plowed through the rest of them. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Soccer fans were celebrating Liverpool FC’s Premier League success (Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Also speaking to The Guardian, a woman called Chelsea said that the driver was showing no sign of slowing down.
“With the commotion, that was the only reason we looked up, and thankfully, looked up and managed to jump out [of] the way in time,” she shared.
Another witness, who was walking with a group of friends, said he saw a car ‘speeding up’ and hitting pedestrians.
Mike Maddra told the PA news agency 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.”
Mr Maddra said he thought he saw two people being hit and added that it ‘looked deliberate’.
It’s been suggested that the man drove the car into the crowd on purpose (DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)
Elsewhere in a statement, Sir Keir Starmer said: “The scenes in Liverpool are appalling — my thoughts are with all those injured or affected.”
He later added: “They are supporting and caring for those injured in these terrible events.
“Everyone, especially children, should be able to celebrate their heroes without this horror.
“The city has a long and proud history of coming together through difficult times.
“Liverpool stands together and the whole country stands with Liverpool.”
.png)
A 53-year-old white British man is currently in custody after a car plowed into a crowd of Liverpool supporters at the club’s victory parade.
As many as 47 people are understood to have been injured at the scene, on Water Street – in Liverpool city center, yesterday (May 26) at around 6pm local time.
Merseyside Police is not treating the incident as a terror attack.
Authorities have confirmed that 27 of those have been hospitalised, while the remaining 20 were treated at the scene.
Of those in hospital, two have sustained serious injuries – one of them is a child.
Four children in total were injured during the rampage, one of whom was stuck under the car alongside three adults who were all freed by firefighters after being mowed down by the vehicle.
Two people were seriously injured (DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)
Harrowing footage circulating online shows the motorist blasting his horn at supporters in the city center prior to accelerating into the crowd, before coming to a stop at the scene – where he was detained and subsequently arrested.
Hundreds of thousands of Liverpool FC fans had gathered in the city to celebrate the team’s first ever Premier League win in front of the fans, with the last one coming in 2020 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking at a press conference last night, assistant chief constable Jenny Sims said: “Firstly, my thoughts are with all those injured in tonight’s horrific incident, their families and friends, and all those affected by the terrible tragedy that has taken place today.
“I want to thank all the emergency services, partner agencies and members of the public who came to the assistance of the injured following this evening’s shocking events.
As many as 47 people were injured after a motorist ploughed his car into a crowd of supporters at Liverpool FC’s victory parade (PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
“This 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 continued: “Sadly, at just after 6 o’clock this evening, as the parade was drawing to a close, we received reports that a car had been in collision with a number of pedestrians on Water Street in Liverpool city centre.
“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.
“Specialist officers have been put in place to support the injured and their families.”
She went on to explain that the 53-year-old white British man who has been arrested was from the Liverpool area and is believed to be the driver of the car.
Sims added: “The incident is not currently being treated as terrorism. We would ask that people refrain from sharing distressing footage from the incident online and please share any information directly with our investigation team.”
A man has been detained after a car collided with a number of pedestrians in Water Street in Liverpool city center during Liverpool FC’s victory parade, Merseyside Police said.
A spokesperson for the North West Ambulance Service said on Monday (May 26): “NWAS is supporting an incident in Liverpool city center, following reports of a road traffic collision.
“We are currently assessing the situation and working with other members of the emergency services. Our priority is to ensure people receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible.”
At the time of writing it has been confirmed that 27 people were taken to hospital and 20 people were treated at the scene, with four children among the injured.
David Kitchin of NWAS said in an update: “We can confirm that our teams treated 20 patients at the scene for minor injuries, and these did not need hospital treatment.
“Twenty-seven patients in total were taken to hospital by ambulance, and we believe two of those, including one of the children, have sustained serious injuries.”
Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims thanked members of the public who helped those injured after a car plowed into people in Liverpool city center, UK.
An LFC parade descended into chaos after a man drove into the crowd (DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)
She called it a ‘horrific incident’, telling a press conference on Monday: “I want to thank all of the emergency services, partner agencies and members of the public who came to the assistance of the injured following this evening’s shocking incident, which we declared a major incident.
“This had been a joyous day in Liverpool with hundreds of thousands of people lining the streets to celebrate Liverpool Football Club’s victory parade.”
“A number of people have been injured and were taken to hospital,” she continued.
“In addition, a large number of people of all ages were treated at the scene, but did not require hospital treatment.”
Authorities have confirmed that children are among the injured (DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)
Firefighters rescued four people, including a child, who were trapped under the car that hit pedestrians during the Liverpool Football Club victory parade in the city center, Nick Searle, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service chief fire officer said.
He told a press conference his service was alerted to the incident at 6.07pm UK time on Monday, adding: “We immediately mobilized three fire engines to Water Street and were in attendance in four minutes.
“On arrival, the crews were met with numerous injured… and four persons trapped under a vehicle.
“Our crews rapidly lifted the vehicle, removed three adults and one child from beneath and passed them to our ambulance service colleagues.
“We then worked with emergency service partners to ensure casualties received medical treatment and transport to hospital as quickly as possible.”
He added: “My fire crews will maintain a visible and reassuring presence in the coming days and weeks.”
Police are urging people to refrain from sharing distressing footage of the incident online.
A mass casualty incident unfolded at neighbourhood block party last night, leaving several people dead.
Around 8:14pm on April 26, a man driving a SUV plowed into a crowd of people in Vancouver, Canada.
It’s said that the event that was being hosted was a Filipino community festival — known as The Lapu Lapu Day festival — with an unknown amount of people in attendance.
Confirming the news of the tragic incident, Vancouver Police Department said in a social media post: “A number of people have been killed and multiple others are injured after a driver drove into a crowd at a street festival at E. 41st Avenue and Fraser shortly after 8 p.m. tonight. The driver is in custody. We will provide more information as the investigation unfolds.”
In an update, law enforcement said that a 30-year-old Vancouver man was arrested at the scene.
“The investigation is ongoing and is being led the Vancouver Police Department’s Major Crime Section,” police added.
Witnesses say that the man drove ‘completely straight, right through the crowd’, as per BBC News.
Yoseb Vardeh, co-owner of the Bao Buns food truck who was at the scene, suspected that the driver hit speeds of 100km/h (62mph).
“I think he was going for maximum damage,” he continued to tell the BBC. “I just saw bodies underneath people’s food trucks, and husbands crying out for their wife, or their kids, it was just horrible.”
A number of people have been killed and multiple others are injured after a driver drove into a crowd at a street festival at E. 41st Avenue and Fraser shortly after 8 p.m. tonight. The driver is in custody. We will provide more information as the investigation unfolds.
Newly-elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has addressed the harrowing ordeal and said he was ‘devastated’.
“I am devastated to hear about the horrific events at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver earlier this evening,” he penned on Twitter.
“I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver. We are all mourning with you.
“We are monitoring the situation closely, and thankful to our first responders for their swift action.”
A 30-year-old man was arrested at the scene (CBC News)
Elizabeth May, co-leader of Canada’s Green Party, has also taken to social media, writing: “My prayers are with Vancouver and its Filipino community as we hold our breath waiting to hear more about the tragedy that took place at Lapu Lapu Day in south Vancouver tonight.”
She added: “I’m horrified and heartbroken that such an attack could occur, and on an occasion celebrating Filipino culture, resilience, and resistance. I am sending my love to affected families.”
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email info@grievewell.com.
