Several people have been injured after a car ploughed into a crowd of jubilant Liverpool fans during their Premier League victory parade this evening.
The shocking incident unfolded just after 6pm on Water Street in the heart of Liverpool’s city centre, as thousands of fans packed the streets to celebrate their team’s triumphant season.
Emergency services rushed to the scene within minutes, with dramatic images showing police cordons, litter strewn across the road, and a strong presence of officers, ambulances and even a fire engine.
The car, described by witnesses as ‘beeping’ as it made its way through the crowds, eventually came to a halt at the scene. A man was swiftly detained by police.
Multiple people were reportedly injured, with four people being seen taken away on stretchers, while another man was pictured leaning heavily on a police officer for support.
Authorities say both Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper are being kept fully briefed on the developing situation.
Police have confirmed that the man detained is a ’53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area’.
Harry Rashid, 48, from Solihull, was at the parade with his wife and two young daughters when he witnessed the collision.
He said: ‘It happened about 10 feet away from us. We were just in a crowd and we had no control over where we would be, because it was a very narrow street.
‘The vehicle came to our right. It emerged from just right next to an ambulance, which was parked up. 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, straight towards this strand, which is where the docks are.
‘It was extremely fast. Initially, we just heard the pop, pop, pop of people just being knocked off the bonnet of a car.’
A large emergency service presence is pictured on Water Street during the Liverpool Trophy Parade
A car collided with a crowd of Liverpool fans at their Premier League trophy parade on Monday
Police immediately swarmed to attendance and cordoned off the area on Water Street
Police officers investigate the scene of an incident in Water Street, on the sidelines of an open-top bus victory parade for Liverpool’s Premier League title win
A video later emerged online showing the distressing moment the car went through the crowd
PM Keir Starmer said: ‘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.’
The terrifying scenes unfolded just hours after Liverpool FC’s trophy parade got underway at 2pm, with stars including Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah leading celebrations atop the open-top bus.
Chelsea Yuen witnessed the incident and told Sky News: ‘It was jam packed we were like sardines and then we heard beeping and screaming. When we looked up there was a black people carrier driving straight towards us.
‘Me and my friend jumped out the way and pulled our kid out the way.
‘It must have been going 30mph. The windows were all smashed in by people hitting the car.
‘Police riot vans on the scene. People banging on them telling police they need to do something and help. Stewards said backup was coming and all of a sudden police and ambulance come from everywhere.
‘There were kids everywhere. It was a family celebration, it’s just quite shocking what’s happened.
Pictured: The man who was driving the car in Liverpool
‘It was so packed you couldn’t get through. There was one riot van way the top and as we carried on walking further towards the train station there were more riot vans and ambulances coming from every road. But because it was so packed they couldn’t get through.
‘We’re really shaken up. My friend’s daughter was crying as we got closer to people lying on the floor at the top of the street. We just had to keep walking and get out of the area. We didn’t know what else was coming.
‘Everyone was walking up Water Street because they’d opened up the barriers from the Strand. People were heading to train stations and trying to get home.’
A Liverpool city council spokesperson said: ‘We are currently liaising with Merseyside Police regarding an incident on Water Street in the city centre. Updates to follow.’
A statement from North West Ambulance read: ‘NWAS is supporting an incident in Liverpool city centre, 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’.
In a statement released shortly after the incident, police confirmed: ‘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 a car had been in a 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’.
The incident marred a day which was intended for celebration among Liverpool supporters after their club sealed a historic 20th league title.
Images on social media showed distressed fans and police at the scene in Liverpool
An emergency service presence is pictured as members of the public react on Water Street
Hundreds of police officers rushed to the scene amid panic and distress from supporters
Liverpool fans lined the streets in their thousands to celebrate the club’s Premier League title
Mohamed Salah waved to supporters who cheered him and his team-mates earlier in the day
The parade followed a 10-mile route. It started at Allerton Maze, heading north along Queens Drive in a similar route to the one used in 2019 – when the Reds won their last league title.
There were a number of road closures due to the event, with Liverpool City Council strongly recommending that people did not drive.
Liverpool’s bus for the parade was lined with the word ‘champions’, with an image of the Premier League trophy and the word’s ‘ours again’ also included.
Flares are understood not to have been allowed on an number of trains around the city, but that didn’t stop fans letting them off as the parade passed.
Reds owner John W Henry wrapped up as he took his spot on the bus, potentially questioning the British weather.
Players took it in turns to lift up the trophy – some held up by others atop the bus. The rain continued to fall, fans continued to wave their flags.
Some were situated behind barriers and had signs as a means of passing on their congratulations to the players.
More to follow…