Witnesses describe 'terror' as car drove into crowd in Liverpool
It happened moments after Liverpool's Premier League trophy parade
Last updated 27th May 2025
Dozens of people were injured on Monday after a car drove into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating the club's recent Premier League title.
With most people enjoying a spring bank holiday, up to 1 million Liverpool fans had lined the streets to celebrate the team as they moved through the city centre with the Premier League trophy on an open-top bus.
The parade began at Allerton Maze south of the city before embarking on a 10-mile route over three-and-a-half hours ending with a finale on the Strand in the city centre.
Chaos erupted on Water Street, about a mile before the parade's endpoint.
The bus had only recently passed the attendees when a vehicle drove into the crowds, witnesses reported.
Footage of the incident, which was circulating online on Monday, appeared to show the car speed up as it veered into pedestrians on both sides of the street.
Merseyside Police have confirmed that a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area was arrested, and that they believe him to be the driver of the vehicle.
One onlooker, Matthew O'Carroll, 28, from Runcorn, saw the car approaching the top of Water Street.
He said the vehicle went past a parked police van at a "decent" speed and that the driver was beeping as he went through the crowd.
Meanwhile, witness Mike Maddra told the PA news agency the "car turned left, mounted pavement, come towards us and runs towards the buildings".
He said: "we got out the way and it was speeding up".
A video on social media also showed angry fans converging on the vehicle as it came to a stop, before police intervened.
Harry Rashid, 48, from Solihul, said you could "hear the bumps" as the driver rammed spectators.
He described how crowds began trying to smash the car windows, causing the driver to stall for about 10 seconds, before putting his foot down again and hitting more people.
Twenty-seven people were taken to hospital, and a further 20 were treated at the scene.
Nick Searle, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service chief fire officer, said four people who were trapped under the car, including a child, were rescued by firefighters.
At a press conference, Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said the "horrific incident" was not being treated as terrorism.
A heavy emergency services presence remained in place for hours afterwards, with police cars, fire engines and ambulances remaining on the street.
A large blue tent was erected on Water Street, with two fire engines parked in front.
Liverpool FC said in a statement that the club was in "direct contact with Merseyside Police regarding the incident on Water Street which happened towards the end of the trophy parade".
"Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this serious incident," a post on X read.
"We will continue to offer our full support to the emergency services and local authorities who are dealing with this incident."
Well-wishes flowed from other Premier League clubs, including Everton, Manchester United and Manchester City.
In a statement, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: "The scenes in Liverpool are appalling - my thoughts are with all those injured or affected."
He later added: "Tonight, I have spoken to Steve Rotheram about the terrible events in Liverpool and the remarkable bravery shown by the police and other emergency services.
"They are supporting and caring for those injured in these terrible events.
"Everyone, especially children, should be able to celebrate their heroes without this horror.
"The city has a long and proud history of coming together through difficult times.
"Liverpool stands together and the whole country stands with Liverpool."