Police have arrested a 53-year-old white British man after a car hit several pedestrians during Liverpool FC’s trophy parade through the city.
The incident happened as thousands of fans lined the streets of the city to celebrate the club’s Premier League title victory.
A police spokesperson said: “We are currently dealing with reports of a road traffic collision in Liverpool city centre. We were contacted at just after 6pm today, Monday 26 May, following reports that 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. We will issue more updates as we have them.”
In a later statement, the force said it had arrested a “53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area”.
‘We could just hear screams’
Eyewitness Natasha Rinaldi said she was watching the parade from her friend’s living room window when “we heard some screams”.
“It was so loud. People sounded desperate. And then we looked at the window and we saw the car [had] run over people,” she told Sky News.
She added: “Then people started rushing to go after the driver and they tried to break the car. The police did everything to block and to push people away.
“We could just hear screams. We were very confused. Some of my friends were down there and the car was so near them. It was a horrible scene, nobody was expecting it.”
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Harry Rashid, 48, from Solihull, attended the parade with his wife and two young daughters. He said the incident “happened about 10 feet away from us”.
Mr Rashid said: “This grey people carrier just pulled up from the right and just rammed into all the people at the side of us. It was travelling south, down Water Street […]. It was extremely fast.”
He added that his family heard people being knocked off the bonnet of a car. He said the driver stalled for 10 seconds before “he put his foot down again and just ploughed through the rest of them”.
“It was horrible. My daughter started screaming and there were people on the ground,” Mr Rashid said.
‘We had to jump out of the way’
Sky News has also spoken to Chelsea Yuen, who was out celebrating Liverpool’s title win when the incident took place.
She had been walking up Water Street with her friend and their partner when they had a near miss with the car itself.
“We were literally like sardines walking up the street, and then we heard beeping and screaming and when we looked up, there was a black, people carrier, driving straight towards us,” she said. “Me and my friend Francesca jumped out of the way and pulled her little girl out of the way.”
Ms Yuen said she could see the windows of the car smashed in, and people were chasing after it.
Amid the chaos and confusion, she told Sky News she didn’t know what was happening, and the three of them tried to get away as quickly as possible. On their way away from the location, she said she saw people begging police to intervene.
She said: “I’m just in shock. Like we can’t stop shaking.”
North West Ambulance Service said in a statement that it was “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,” the statement added.
There is no information on the injuries sustained by those attending the parade yet.
Pic: AP
‘Appalling’ scenes
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement: “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.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is also being kept updated about the events in Liverpool.
In a post on X, she wrote: “Thank you to the police and emergency services for their swift response to the truly shocking and horrendous scenes in Liverpool this evening.
“Thinking of all those affected at this very difficult time. The police are investigating, and I’m being kept updated on developments.”
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp wrote on X: “My thoughts are with the victims, Liverpool fans and the people of that great City this evening.
“The appalling footage depicts a car being driven into fans as they celebrated Liverpool’s Premier League win. The public deserves to know the full facts as quickly as possible.”
Liverpool FC has said its “thoughts and prayers” are with those affected and the club will “continue to offer our full support to the emergency services and local authorities”.
Liverpool Riverside MP Kim Johnson, whose seat includes the city centre, said: “I sincerely hope all those involved are safe and get home to their loved ones soon.”
