Liverpool FC parade car crash latest: Man arrested after children among nearly 50 injured by car slamming into fans

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has said she won’t “make judgments” on Merseyside Police’s decision to reveal details about the identity of the man arrested after a car ploughed into a crowd during Liverpool’s Premier League victory parade.

Asked if the police had “changed tack” she told Times Radio: “These are operational matters for the police, and it’s for the police to determine how they will respond.

“I don’t think it’s right for politicians to make judgments on that, but I would just add that the police were on the scene rapidly and responded to what was a really horrendous incident.

“And I pay tribute to those first responders, police and other emergency services, for their tremendous bravery, for everything they’ve done, but also to the community in the way that they’re pulling together in light of this tragedy.”

She added: “As I understand it, the police had ensured that traffic controls were in place, but you’ll appreciate I don’t want to get into speculating at this stage on what has happened.

“Of course, the police and others will make sure that a full investigation is understood in terms of what’s happened now, but I think at the moment, our thoughts and our focus must be on ensuring that the police are able to do their job to carry out the full investigation that’s necessary, and also that those who are receiving treatment and support get everything that they need from our fantastic NHS workforce.”

Police were unusually quick to give a description of the suspect they arrested, describing him as a 53-year-old white British man from Liverpool.

Though his name has not been released, those details came at a news conference just a few hours after the incident took place.

Dal Babu, a former chief superintendent in London’s Metropolitan Police, told the BBC this was likely an effort to cool social media speculation that the episode was an Islamist attack.

The same police force oversaw the response to the murder of three young girls in the nearby town of Southport last year, an incident which sparked days of rioting, fuelled by speculation online over the identity of the attacker.

Eyewitnesses say the collision happened about 10 minutes after the bus carrying the Liverpool team had passed by.

In the aftermath, a Reuters photographer saw members of the emergency services carrying victims on stretchers to ambulances and debris scattered on the road.

An eyewitness to Monday’s incident who gave her name as Chelsea told BBC Radio that people packed onto the street were only alerted to the danger by screams from the crowd. That enabled some to jump out of the way as the driver showed no sign of slowing.

« 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, » the woman said.

The incident « cast a very dark shadow over what had been a joyous day, » Liverpool city council leader Liam Robinson said on social media.

Liverpool last won the league title during the Covid pandemic when celebrations were not permitted due to lockdowns.

Emergency services were called to Water Street after Merseyside Police were contacted just after 6pm on Monday with reports of the incident.

The car stopped at the scene and a man was detained.

Here is everything we know so far:

Local Italian restaurant Riva was used as a makeshift triage centre in the aftermath of the Liverpool car incident, said Echo reporter Paddy Edrich.

« People inside Riva are being treated by paramedics. Some have bandages around their heads and limbs, » he said in a post on X.

« Staff in the restaurant appear to be providing fluids to those being treated and the emergency services. »

Other casualties were spotted being taken away by ambulance to nearby hospitals.

A heavy emergency services presence remained in place for hours afterwards, with police cars, fire engines and ambulances remaining on the street.

A large blue tent was erected on Water Street, with two fire engines parked in front.

Dozens were injured on Monday after a car ploughed into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating the club’s recent Premier League title.

With most people enjoying a spring break holiday, up to one million Liverpool fans had lined the streets to celebrate the team as they moved through the city centre with the Premier League trophy on an open-top bus.

The parade began at Allerton Maze south of the city before embarking on an 8km route over three-and-a-half hours ending with a finale on the Strand in the city centre.

Chaos erupted on Water Street, about 800m before the parade’s endpoint.

The bus had only recently passed the attendees when a vehicle rammed into the crowds, witnesses reported.

One onlooker, Matthew O’Carroll, 28, from Runcorn, saw the car approaching the top of Water Street.

He said the vehicle went past a parked police van at a « decent » speed and that the driver was beeping as he went through the crowd.

Meanwhile, witness 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, « it looked deliberate ».

Dan Ogunshakin, an off-duty BBC reporter attending the parade, told the public broadcaster he saw people hitting the car before it reversed and then « it suddenly accelerated forwards », straight towards the surrounding crowd.

« What had once been an atmosphere of celebration and joy and happiness suddenly turned into fear and terror and disbelief, » he said.

Police said the car eventually stopped at the scene and the man was detained.BBC reporter Matt Cole described how police officers exited a « squad » of armed police vehicles with rifles and medical packs and began running to the scene.

Daniel Jones, 28, told The Sun newspaper that police restrained people who were « smashing » the car.

« They were ripping the register plate off, » he said. « The back window was broken when the (driver) was still in it. »

Fifa chief Gianni Infantino issued a statement condemning the incident in Liverpool in which nearly 50 people, including four children, were injured by a car ploughing into a crowd of fans.

« Football stands together with Liverpool FC and all fans of the club following the horrific incident that has taken place during the trophy parade in the city,” he said.

« From everyone at Fifa, we offer our thoughts and prayers to all those affected. »

Sir Keir Starmer sent a message of unity, saying the city “stands together” as he condemned the incident.

“The scenes in Liverpool are appalling – my thoughts are with all those injured or affected. »

He later added: « Tonight, I have spoken to Steve Rotheram about the terrible events in Liverpool and the remarkable bravery shown by the police and other emergency services.

« 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. »

Footage of the incident appears to show the vehicle speed up as it veers 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 how the incident unfolded in front of him.

He said: « 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 ploughed through the rest of them.

« I’ve never seen anything like it. »

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 the 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, « it looked deliberate ».

Ian Byrne, MP for Liverpool West Derby, said he was « absolutely heartbroken » after a car ploughed into a crowd during Liverpool’s Premier League victory parade.

He wrote on X: « Absolutely heartbroken by the scenes in town, after what should have been the best of days.

« My love and thoughts are with all affected. »