Car hits crowd at Liverpool FC parade
Emergency services responded to a tragic incident in Liverpool's city center, when a car drove into a crowd of fans celebrating Liverpool FC's Premier League title victory. The collision occurred shortly after the team's open-top bus parade, injuring 47 people, including four children, with two individuals—one adult and one child—sustaining serious injuries.
Witnesses reported that the 53-year-old driver appeared intoxicated and had been arguing with pedestrians before accelerating into the crowd. Despite attempts by some attendees to stop the vehicle, the driver continued until police intervened and arrested him at the scene. Emergency responders quickly transported 27 people to hospitals, while 20 others received treatment on-site. Firefighters also rescued four individuals trapped beneath the vehicle.
Authorities have stated that the incident is not being treated as terrorism-related and believe the suspect acted alone, although the motive remains under investigation. The joyous atmosphere of the victory parade turned somber as the city dealt with the aftermath of the incident. Political leaders, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, condemned the attack and praised the emergency services for their swift response.
Liverpool FC, along with Everton FC and the Premier League, expressed condolences and solidarity with those affected. Club legend Kenny Dalglish voiced his support, stating, "Your Liverpool family are behind you." The city, still healing from past tragedies like the Hillsborough disaster, united in grief and resilience, highlighting the importance of community support during this challenging time.
As the investigation continues, the police have provided a description of the driver to quell speculation about the nature of the incident, emphasizing that it was not linked to terrorism. Eyewitness accounts described the chaos as screams alerted some fans to the approaching vehicle, allowing them to escape harm.
