Car ploughs into Liverpool fans parade, 27 in hospital

Man arrested as car ploughs into pedestrians during Liverpool FC parade injuring dozens

26 May 2025

A "number of people" have been hurt with at least one child left seriously injured after a car struck fans during Liverpool FC's Premier League victory parade through the city - with a British man detained.

Footage of the incident which was circulating online appeared to show the vehicle speed up as it veered into pedestrians on both sides of Water Street, in Liverpool.

Officers surrounded the car very soon after, as witnesses attempted to stop the driver, who was eventually detained by police shortly after 6pm.

The suspect, a 53-year-old white, British man from the Liverpool area was detained, and it is understood Counter Terrorism Policing North West are supporting Merseyside Police.

Dozens have been injured in the incident, with images showing some being taken away on stretchers, while a paramedic told police he believed the Liverpool Royal Hospital may be overwhelmed.

One staff member working there described scenes in the hospital as "horrendous".

NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group urged members of the public to refrain from calling to ask about loved ones after the incident because next of kin would be contacted.

Merseyside Police said it believes the incident was not terror-related and instead was "isolated", with officers were not looking for anyone else in connection.

At a press conference Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said the 53-year-old man, arrested at the scene, was "believed to be its driver" and they were not looking for anyone else in connection.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue service said it rescued three adults and one child from under the vehicle.

Four of the 27 taken to hospital - either Royal Liverpool, Alder Hey, Arrowe Park and Aintree - were children, one of whom has been seriously hurt, David Kitchin of North West Ambulance Service added.

Around 20 patients were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

A large blue tent has been erected at the scene with two fire engines parked in front on the heavily littered road.

Witnesses described how crowds tried to smash the windows of the car as it travelled down the road.

One described the “frantic” moment the car ploughed into the crowds in Liverpool.

Police and emergency personnel swarmed Water Street in Liverpool after the incident.Credit: PA Images

Peter Jones, 44, from the Isle of Man, attended the parade and said: “We were walking up Water Street, thousands around us.

“We heard a frantic beeping ahead, a car flew past me and my mate, people were chasing it and trying to stop him, windows smashed at the back.

“He then drove into people, police and medics ran past us, and people were being treated on the side of the road.

“There were a lot injured. We heard it behind us hit the crowds, then we saw half a dozen people [injured] in the road as we were walking up.

“It was shocking. We’re back at our hotel now, in a bit of a shock.”

A tent has been erected at the scene.

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 travelling south, down Water Street, straight towards the Strand, which is where the docks are.

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

Mr Rashid described how crowds began trying to smash the car windows: “Then he stalled for a few seconds, probably about 10 seconds.

Then the crowd that was a bit further back started rushing at him trying to smash his windows.

A number of people have been injured on Water Street in Liverpool after a car struck crowdsCredit: PA Images

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

“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.

“It looked clearly deliberate.

“They were just innocent people, just fans going to enjoy the parade.

There were hundreds and thousands of us there because this is probably the busiest part of Liverpool.

“We were shocked, couldn’t believe it.”

Credit: PA Images

Following the incident, in a statement, Merseyside Police said: "We can confirm the man arrested is a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area.

"Extensive enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances leading up to the collision."

North West Ambulance Service said: "North West Ambulance Service has now cleared the scene following the incident in Liverpool and will be updating on casualty numbers at a press conference."

A spokesman for the North West Air Ambulance Charity said: “Our crew is working closely with the other agencies involved, including the Police and North West Ambulance Service.

“Our priority is the wellbeing of those involved and our thoughts are with those affected by the incident.”

Mowgli restaurant on Water Street is currently being used as and emergency medical event centre.

The Prime Minister said: “the scenes in Liverpool are appalling — my thoughts are with all those injured or affected” adding that he was “being kept updated on developments and ask that we give the police the space they need to investigate”.

Liverpool FC have also released a statement: "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.

"We will continue to offer our full support to the emergency services and local authorities who are dealing with this incident."

In a post on social media, fellow Liverpool-based team Everton, said: “Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by this serious incident in our city.”

This is a developing story that will be constantly updated.