Four children are among dozens of people injured after a car ploughed through crowds gathered for Liverpool FC’s trophy parade.
Thousands of fans lined the streets on Bank Holiday Monday to celebrate the club winning the Premier League title.
Videos from the scene show a people carrier travelling at speed through the street, trapping four individuals under the vehicle.
Around 50 people were injured. Two of them, including one child, have sustained serious injuries, but no deaths have been reported so far.
Here is everything we know.
What happened?
The incident occurred around 6pm on Water Street in the city centre – near Liverpool Town Hall and the Liver Building – about a mile from the end point of Liverpool FC’s victory parade.
The bus, which was carrying the club’s players, had passed the street 20 minutes before police received calls of the vehicle driving into crowds.
A 53-year-old white British man, who is believed to be the driver, was arrested at the scene.
Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said on Monday evening the “horrific incident” was not being treated as terrorism.
Four people who were trapped under the car, including a child, were rescued by firefighters.
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.
A police cordon remained in place on Water Street on Tuesday morning.
Liverpool City Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said four people are still “very, very ill in hospital” and hoped that they would “pull through very, very quickly”.
‘We could just hear screams and screams’
Eyewitnesses have described the “frantic” moment the car sped up in the crowd.
One of those was Chelsea Yuen, who told Sky News the people carrier drove straight towards her – along with her friend Francesca and her daughter.
“We were literally like sardines walking up the street, and then we heard beeping and screaming,” she said.
“Me and my friend Francesca jumped out of the way and pulled her little girl out the way.”
Yuen said she could see the windows of the car had been smashed in – and witnessed people begging with the police to intervene.
“I’m just in shock,” she added. “We can’t stop shaking.”
Natasha Rinaldi had been following the parade from her friend’s living room window.
She told Sky News that “people sounded desperate” as the car sped towards the crowds.
“Some of my friends were down there and the car was so near them,” she added. “It was a horrible scene.”
Trying to make sense of the incident, Ms Rinaldi added: “We still don’t understand what happened, how it happened, why it happened.”
What has the response been?
Sir Keir Starmer described the scenes as “appalling” – and praised “the remarkable bravery shown by the police and other emergency services”.
The prime minister said: “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.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper thanked police and called the incident “truly shocking and horrendous”.
“Thinking of all those affected at this very difficult time. The police are investigating and I’m being kept updated on developments,” she said.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said it is “sickening” to hear children are among the injured.
“It doesn’t matter if this is or isn’t classed as a terrorist incident, it’s still a heinous crime. Those who target joyful celebrations and our happiest moments, who care not for the welfare of little children are beneath contempt,” she wrote on X.
“A stark contrast to the people of Liverpool who responded with extraordinary compassion, offering lifts, shelter, food, and more.
“Liverpool stood firm, displaying kindness and decency in the face of horror.”
Liverpool Football Club said it was in contact with Merseyside Police and would “continue to offer our full support to the emergency services and local authorities who are dealing with this incident”.
Anfield’s rivals Everton FC said in a statement: “Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by this serious incident in our city.”
Source: 
news.sky.com
Be the first to comment