Man, 53, arrested after car rams through crowd of Liverpool fans

A man, 53, has been arrested after the incident in Liverpool city centre (Picture: Shutterstock)

A 53-year-old man has been arrested after a car rammed through a crowd of Liverpool fans during the club’s Premier League trophy parade.

A large emergency service presence is in Liverpool city centre after a car drove through a crowd of supporters who were celebrating the club’s title win.

It is not yet known how many people are injured or if anyone has been killed.

Merseyside Police confirmed a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area has been arrested.

‘We would ask people not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding tonight’s incident on Water Street in Liverpool city centre,’ a statement read.

‘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.’

A car rammed through a crowd of Liverpool fans celebrating the title triumph at around 6pm UK time.

Liverpool held a Premier League trophy presentation in the city on Monday afternoon after clinching their 20th English league title.

The trophy parade had been in full swing all afternoon, with the Liverpool players travelling around the city in an open-top bus.

But fans were left in horror on Water Street as a car drove through the crowd, even reversing and then speeding through more members of the crowd.

As the car stopped, a number of fans surrounded the vehicle and appear to have smashed the windows before pulling the driver out.

Some fans claimed the driver was attacked before being detained by police.

One supporter who was nearby told Metro fans were left ‘shocked’ and ‘worried’ in the aftermath of the incident.

Jack Cooper, a Liverpool fan who travelled from Manchester to attend the parade, said: ‘It was a great celebration, everyone was enjoying themselves, and then that happened, it was insane.

The scene in Liverpool after the incident (Picture: Shutterstock)

‘I didn’t see the start of it but it happened pretty close to me. I could see people going after the car, obviously they weren’t happy.

‘I didn’t see the people who were injured and hopefully it’s not too bad but everyone around was just shocked. Loads of people were standing around just shocked and worried.

‘People chased the car down and stopped it and then broke the windows.’

Shortly after the incident, Merseyside Police said: ‘We are currently dealing with reports of a road traffic collision in Liverpool city centre.

Liverpool fans gathered in the city to celebrate the title win (Picture: Getty)

‘We were contacted at just after 6pm today, Monday 26 May, following reports a car had been in collision with a number of pedestrians on Water Street.

‘The car stopped at the scene and a male has been detained. Emergency services are currently on the scene.’

The North West Ambulance Service added: ‘We are currently assessing the situation and working with other members of the emergency services.

‘Our priority is to ensure people receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible.’

BBC journalist Warren Moran, at the scene, said: ‘I have seen what appears to be at least three injured people being taken away.’

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the scenes in Liverpool as ‘appalling’.

‘The scenes in Liverpool are appalling – my thoughts are with all those injured or affected,’ he said.

‘I want to thank the police and emergency services for their swift and ongoing response to this shocking incident.

Sir Keir Starmer described the incident as ‘appalling’ (Picture: Getty)

‘I’m being kept updated on developments and ask that we give the police the space they need to investigate.’

Natasha Rinaldi, who was watching the parade from her friend’s living room in the city centre when the incident occurred, told PA: ‘It was so loud.

‘People sounded desperate. And then we looked out the window and we saw the car had run over people.

‘We could just hear screams and screams. We were very confused.

‘Some of my friends were down there and the car was so near them. It was a horrible scene, nobody was expecting it.’

More to follow..

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