Several injured after car ploughs into celebrating fans during Liverpool victory parade as man arrested

26 May 2025, 18:49 | Updated: 26 May 2025, 22:14

A man has been detained after a car ploughed into jubilant Liverpool supporters during the Premier League champions trophy parade.

Several people are understood to be injured following the shocking incident which occurred just after 6pm on Water Street in the heart of Liverpool's city centre.

Thousands of fans had packed the city's streets to celebrate their team being crowned Premier League champions.

Spectators draped in red lined the roads to watch the team drive around a 10-mile route on an open top bus with the trophy.

But the party atmosphere turned sour 10 minutes after the bus left the Walter Street area, as a car was seen driving down the busy main road and ramming into supporters.

Witnesses believe the vehicle was travelling at 20mph, as it swerved on and off the crowded pavements and roads.

Once the car stopped, a huge number of people swarmed the vehicle and destroyed the windows and doors as they attempted to get to the driver.

Police then surrounded the car as they tried to restore order. Officers would later arrest a 53-year-old white British man from Merseyside.

The harrowing scenes were captured on mobile phone footage by shocked bystanders.

One person was seen being taken away on a stretcher, while another man was pictured leaning heavily on a police officer for support.

Police cars, ambulances and fire trucks lined the surrounding streets, and they could be seen tending to those involved and controlling the crowd.

A number of tents have been set up inside the police cordon along the street and the surrounding area.

Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell says footage of the incident in Liverpool is "appalling" and urges people not to speculate.

Liverpool Football Club said it was in direct contact with Merseyside Police regarding the incident.

In a statement, the club said: "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."

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the "scenes in Liverpool are appalling" and thanked the emergency services for their swift response.

"I’m being kept updated on developments and ask that we give the police the space they need to investigate," he added.

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 extremely fast. Initially, we just heard the pop, pop, pop of people just being knocked off the bonnet of a car."

Footage shows people being carried into ambulances on stretchers, or helped to walk by emergency workers.

Mr Rashid described how crowds began trying to smash the car windows, before being pushed back by police.

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"But then he put his foot down again and just ploughed through the rest of them, he just kept going," Mr Rashid continued.

"It was horrible. And you could hear the bumps as he was going over the people.

"Then my daughter started screaming and there were people on the ground."

A man has now been arrested in connection with the incident, and emergency services have been tending to those injured.

Merseyside Police said: "A 53-year-old white British male from the Liverpool area has now been arrested.

"My thanks go to Merseyside Police and our emergency service partners who have responded so swiftly.

"Updates will be provided as soon as possible. In the meantime, I'd urge people to please not speculate any further."

North West Ambulance Service has described what has happened in Liverpool city centre as a "major incident".

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the scenes in Liverpool as "truly shocking".

She said: "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."

Everton FC said "our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by this serious incident in our city".

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher wrote on X: "Devastating end to the day... just pray everyone is ok", while ex-Reds striker Robbie Fowler posted: "Heartbreaking news... absolutely sickened with what's happened here in Liverpool."

A spokesperson for the Premier League added: "Everyone at the Premier League is shocked by the appalling events in Liverpool this evening, and our heartfelt thoughts go out to all those injured and affected.

"We have been in contact with Liverpool FC and have offered our full support following this serious incident."