Man detained after car driven into crowd of people during Liverpool FC victory parade
A 53-year-old man has been detained by police after a car collided with numerous pedestrians during Liverpool FC's victory parade today (26 May).
Thousands of people had descended on the city centre on Monday to celebrate the club's Premier League victory before chaos erupted at around 6pm.
Merseyside Police received a string of reports that a vehicle had struck a crowd of people on Water Street. The extent of the injuries sustained by those involved currently remains unclear.
The driver stopped at the scene and was detained by officers, the force said.
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Police urged people 'not to speculate on the circumstances' surrounding the incident, saying that 'extensive enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances leading up to the collision'.
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police added: "We can confirm the man arrested is a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area."
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the incident as 'appalling' in a statement, explaining that he is being 'kept updated' on the developments.
"The scenes in Liverpool are appalling - my thoughts are with all those injured or affected," he said. "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."
Eyewitness accounts have began to emerge, with one woman saying she was forced to 'jump out the way' of the vehicle as it careered towards her.
Chelsea Yuen said people were packed onto Water Street 'like sardines' when they suddenly began to hear 'beeping and screaming'.
"When we looked up, there was a black, people carrier, driving straight towards us," she told Sky News. "Me and my friend jumped out the way and pulled her little girl out the way. I'm just in shock. Like we can't stop shaking."
Another onlooker, who was watching the parade from the safety of her friend's living room, described hearing 'desperate' screams from the street below.
Natasha Rinaldi said: "It was so loud. We looked out the window and we saw the car [had] run over people.
"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 and 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."
Liverpool FC also shared a statement on the dramatic incident to social media on Monday evening.
"We are in direct contact with Merseyside Police regarding the incident on Water Street which happened towards the end of the trophy parade earlier this evening," it read.
"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."
Police rushed to the area after receiving reports that a number of pedestrians were struck by the vehicle, and a number of people have been seen being assisted by emergency responders.
A statement from Merseyside Police explains: "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 spokesperson for the North West Ambulance Service also said: "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.
"Updates will be published on this page and Mersey Police as we know more."
A spokesman for Liverpool City Council also confirmed the local authority is liaising with police about the incident.
Terrifying footage of the car colliding with numerous people has also been circulating on social media.
Police urged people 'not to share distressing content online' and instead send any video or relevant information directly to the force, or pass on information by calling 101 quoting log 784.
Information can also be given anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Liverpool FC held an open-top bus parade to celebrate its Premier League triumph, seeing thousands of fans line the streets along the 10-mile route.
According to councillor John Hughes, more than one million people were expected to attend the event.
Olivia Burke