Detectives given more time to question man after car 'ploughed' into pedestrians in Derby
Seven people were treated at the scene and taken to hospital, with a range of serious but not life-threatening injuries, when they were hit by a black Suzuki Swift
Detectives have been given more time to question a man after pedestrians were struck by a car in Derby, leaving seven people with serious injuries.
Listen to this article
The 36-year-old man, who is from Derby, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder minutes after the incident happened on Saturday evening.
Counter-terrorism police are supporting the investigation.
He remains in police custody and will continue to be interviewed by detectives until tomorrow evening.
Of the seven people injured during the incident – four men and three women aged between 36 and 52 – three have now been discharged from hospital.
All seven sustained serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.
Read more: Badenoch accused of 'false parallels' between Manchester attack & Trafalgar Square event
The suspect was found a short time after the incident and arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, causing serious injury through dangerous driving, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, and dangerous driving, police said.
The force said the support of counter-terrorism officers does not mean the incident is currently being treated as terrorism.
Chief Superintendent Emma Aldred said: “I’d like to reiterate my well wishes to all the victims in this case as they begin their recovery supported by specialist officers.
“I also want to thank the eyewitnesses whose reports allowed us to make an arrest just minutes after this incident happened.
“The response to this incident was a multi-agency one and we are continuing to work closely with partners and local businesses. I’d like to thank them for all of their support.
“Detectives are continuing to question the arrested man and have been carrying out extensive enquiries over the last couple of days.
“While I understand that there is significant interest in the circumstances of this case, at this time it is extremely important that we maintain the integrity of the investigation to ensure that it is as thorough and proportionate as the public would expect.
“We are still very keen to hear from who anyone who may have CCTV, dashcam, or mobile phone footage that could assist our enquiries and would urge you to contact us via the details below, if you have not already done so.”
Calum Green, who is the assistant manager of the Bishop Blaise pub, said the car went “right up on the curb” outside.
Mr Green was working on Saturday evening but only saw the collision on CCTV footage, and saw the ambulances arrive afterwards.
The 29-year-old said: “We kept everyone inside, we didn’t really know what was going on.”
Nadine Peatfield, the leader of Derby City Council, spoke at the scene on Monday and said she was “absolutely horrified” by what had happened.
She said: “My heart goes out to everybody that’s been injured in this incident and everyone that’s witnessed it, of course, their friends and loved ones. It’s just horrific.”
Ms Peatfield added: “As an immediate reassurance to people in our city, we will ensure that over the bank holiday weekend no vehicles will be able to come down Friar Gate in those evenings when people are out celebrating.”
Baggy Shanker, the MP for Derby South, told the Press Association: “It’s deeply shocking to learn that something like this could happen here at home.
“I really, really want to understand what has caused this before we jump to any conclusions.”
Mr Shanker said he was “absolutely” concerned that counter-terrorism officers have been involved in the investigation, adding: “The police have reassured us… that is a routine precaution in an investigation like this.”
He continued: “Hopefully, collectively working with Derbyshire Constabulary, they’ll conclude their investigations and make charges appropriately pretty soon.”