Police confirm no terrorism link as community reels from shocking incident.
A moment of celebration turned to horror on Monday evening when a car plowed into a crowd gathered in Liverpool to celebrate the football club’s latest Premier League victory. The collision, which occurred as an open-top bus parade wound through the city center, left at least 27 people hospitalized, including four children, and many more shaken.
Chaos at the Heart of Celebration
The incident took place on Water Street near the iconic Liver Building just after 6 p.m. local time, as thousands of Liverpool supporters filled the streets with flags, music, and red smoke to mark the team’s 20th top-flight league title. Witnesses reported a gray minivan accelerating into a group of fans dressed in red, with some people seen being thrown onto the car’s hood.
Videos shared on social media show the vehicle stopped as an angry crowd surrounded it, attempting to smash its windows. The driver then reversed and drove away before police arrested a 53-year-old white British man believed to be the one behind the wheel.
Authorities quickly ruled out terrorism as a motive, labeling the collision an “isolated incident.” Merseyside Police confirmed that they are not seeking any additional suspects.
Emergency Response and Investigation
Emergency services arrived on the scene within minutes. Firefighters had to rescue four people — including one child — who were trapped underneath the vehicle. Another 20 people were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
“This gray people carrier just pulled up from the right and rammed into all the people at the side of us … it was extremely fast,” said eyewitness Harry Rashid, who had attended the parade with his family. “It was horrendous. I saw people unconscious. You could hear the bumps as the car went over bodies.”
Footage from the scene shows paramedics and fire personnel tending to victims, with some being carried into ambulances on stretchers. The road was later cordoned off by police, who set up a tent where the vehicle had collided with pedestrians.
Chief Fire Officer Nick Searle and Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims emphasized that extensive investigations are underway to determine exactly what led to the collision. Officials urged the public not to speculate or spread misinformation online.
City in Shock, Football World Responds
Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram called the event a “terrible tragedy” and asked the public to trust the police investigation rather than draw conclusions from social media. “The police are the only people who have all of that information,” he said.
The collision cast a shadow over what had been a joyful occasion. Tributes and condolences poured in from across the football community. Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp said he was “shocked and devastated,” adding, “You’ll never walk alone,” in reference to the club’s iconic anthem.
Rival clubs Manchester United and Everton, as well as the Premier League, issued statements expressing solidarity with the injured and their families. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also weighed in, saying, “My thoughts and the thoughts of the whole country are with all of those affected … Liverpool fans everywhere.”
Public Safety Under Scrutiny
The parade, which covered a 10-mile route through Liverpool, had a traffic management plan coordinated with local authorities. Despite those measures, the incident has prompted questions about how such a vehicle managed to breach crowd safety barriers.
Peter Jones, another witness, described the car beeping its horn before accelerating through the crowd. “He drove past a police van and then right into people,” he said. “It was pure panic.”
As Liverpool continues to recover from the shock, police are collecting witness accounts and reviewing footage to piece together the full timeline. The suspect remains in custody, and findings from the investigation will be made public, according to officials.