Featured Image Credit: Getty Images
Topics: Liverpool, Premier League
Jack Kenmare
Merseyside Police held a press conference on Tuesday afternoon to provide an update on the horrific events that left over 50 people injured during Liverpool's Premier League title parade.
Liverpool's much-anticipated title celebrations were overshadowed by an incident in the city centre on Monday, as footage showed a number of supporters being mowed down by a black car on Water Street, Liverpool City Centre.
In total, up to one million Liverpool supporters had gathered to celebrate the club's Premier League triumph but at around 6pm, a row broke out between the driver and spectators, and a terrifying series of events played out.
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A car swerved through the street, hitting a group of people before it eventually come to a halt. Emergency services were quick on the scene in the form of ambulances, police vans and an air ambulance.
Liverpool's official X account soon posted a statement and said their "thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected" as they confirmed communication with Merseyside Police over the serious matter.
It has since emerged that a 53-year-old man from West Derby has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving offences and driving while unfit through drugs.
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Jenny Sims, who is the Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable, confirmed on behalf of the NHS that 50 people were treated at hospitals following the incident. Of these, 11 remain in hospital and are in a stable condition.
She would also provide a further update on the incident, saying that the suspected driver of the car is believed to have followed an ambulance onto Water Street, which had previously been blocked.
Access had been temporarily lifted to the emergency vehicle so first responders could attend to a person suffering from a suspected heart attack
“It is believed the driver of the Ford Galaxy car involved in this incident was able to follow an ambulance onto Water Street after the road block was temporarily lifted so that the ambulance crew could attend to a member of the public who was having a suspected heart attack," she said.
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“As with many large events, with event organisers we planned for all contingencies and this included the implementation of road closures to protect pedestrians and an armed policing presence was also in place throughout the day.
“There was no intelligence to suggest an incident of this nature would take place, and as we previously stated, the incident is not being treated as terrorism."
Sims added: “An extensive investigation into the precise circumstances of the incident is ongoing and we continue to ask people not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding the incident and refrain from sharing distressing content online.”
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The police repeated that the incident is not being treated as terrorism. They also urged the public not to share distressing content online or speculate about the motivations behind the incident.