Car Ploughs Into Crowd At Liverpool FC Victory Parade, Injuring Dozens.
A joyous celebration of Liverpool FC’s Premier League triumph turned to tragedy on Monday evening when a car crashed into a crowd of fans during the club’s victory parade, injuring nearly 50 people, including four children. The incident, which occurred on Water Street in Liverpool city centre just after 6pm, has left the city in shock.
Merseyside Police confirmed that 27 individuals were taken to hospital, with two—a child and an adult—suffering serious injuries. Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram told BBC Radio 5 Live that four people remain “very, very ill in hospital,” urging the public to refrain from speculation as investigations continue. A further 20 people were treated at the scene for minor injuries, and some later sought hospital treatment independently.
The driver, a 53-year-old white British man from the Merseyside area, was arrested at the scene and is believed to have been behind the wheel of the vehicle. Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims described the incident as “horrific” but stated it is not being treated as terrorism. “We believe this to be an isolated incident, and we are not currently looking for anyone else in relation to it,” she said during a press conference on Monday night. Counter Terrorism Policing North West is supporting the investigation to establish the circumstances of the crash.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos and disbelief as the dark-coloured vehicle swerved into the densely packed crowd, moments after the open-top bus carrying Liverpool FC players passed by. One onlooker, BBC reporter Matt Cole, recounted hearing “screams ahead of us” as the car sped through, narrowly missing his family. Another witness, Liverpool FC fan Jack Trotter, who was hospitalised after being struck, described his condition as “absolute agony” from his hospital bed.
Emergency services, including Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, acted swiftly, freeing four people—including a child—trapped beneath the vehicle. The North West Ambulance Service praised the rapid response of police, fire crews, and bystanders who assisted the injured. A large police cordon remains in place around Water Street and Dale Street as investigations continue, with debris still littering the area on Tuesday morning.
Liverpool FC issued a statement expressing their support: “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. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this serious incident.” The Premier League also extended its condolences, stating, “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.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the scenes “appalling,” adding, “My thoughts are with all those injured or affected. The whole country stands with Liverpool.”
