UK: Nearly 50 Injured after Car Ploughs into Crowd at Liverpool FC Victory Parade

By Staff, Agencies

Liverpool football club’s Premier League victory parade descended into chaos on Monday evening after a car collided with pedestrians in the city center, leaving nearly 50 people injured including children.

A 53-year-old white British man believed to be the driver of the vehicle was arrested at the scene of the collision on Water Street in the heart of the city, meters from the Royal Liver Building and the town hall, after roads had been reopened after the main parade.

Scenes of jubilation with thousands of Liverpool fans lining the streets to celebrate their club’s Premier League victory were rapidly replaced with scenes of fear and confusion as emergency services arrived at about 6pm.

At a late-night press conference, North West ambulance service confirmed 27 people were taken to hospital, with two of the injured, including one child, sustaining serious injuries. In addition, 20 patients were treated at the scene near Water Street. Four children were injured in total.

Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims, with Merseyside police, said the incident was not being treated as terrorism and they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

The prime minister said the scenes were “appalling”, while Liverpool FC offered its “thoughts and prayers” to those affected by the incident.

Footage showed police cordons in place around the heavily littered road, with a large police presence, ambulances and a fire engine also at the scene.

Footage from the scene captured a person being taken away on a stretcher and a man walking with his arm around a police officer for support.

It is understood that approximately 30 people were treated for injuries or shock in an Italian restaurant opposite Liverpool town hall, around the corner from the scene of the collision.