The man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a car ploughed through a crowd of Liverpool fans is reported to be a business owner and middle class father-of-three.
Neighbours have described the suspect, who has not been formally named by police, as a “genuinely pleasant family man” and a “normal Liverpool dad”.
Details of the suspect emerged after police officers and vans pulled up outside his four-bed family home in the West Derby area of Liverpool on Monday night.
The 53-year-old suspect is reported to have completed triathlons, climbed Kilimanjaro and lives in a detached suburban home.
He has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drugs.
Merseyside Police was given more time to question the suspect on Wednesday, as the number of people injured in the incident rose to 79, including young children.
Officers have until Thursday evening to quiz him before making a charging descision.
Police confimed in an update on Thursday the youngest person injured in the carnage is aged nine and the oldest aged 78. They are all understood to be British.
The suspect was arrested on Monday after a Ford Galaxy people carrier mowed down crowds of football fans during Liverpool’s Premier League title parade in the city centre.
Seven people remained in hospital on Wednesday night but were said to be recovering.
When police officers arrived at the suspect’s home late on Monday night, neighbours assumed there had been a burglary, The Times reported.
One neighbour, who asked not to be named, described him as “thoughtful” — someone who would look out for elderly residents living on the street.
“He’s the last person on this street I would have thought would be connected to something like that,” they said.
Another neighbour said: “He seemed fairly normal, and as people go quite down to earth and a normal, well-balanced guy.”
He explained how the suspect had been a “very sensible family man” who was proud of his family.
Merseyside Police believe the Ford Galaxy car was driven down Walter Street after following an ambulance past a roadblock.
It is understood a flat-bed truck, which had been blocking the road at the junction of Rumford Street, had been moved by private contractors to let emergency services through to a treat a member of the public having a suspected heart attack.
The collision is not being treated as terrorism.
A lifelong Liverpool fan told Sky News that his five-month-old son was flung 15 feet (4.6m) in his pram after they were hit by a vehicle at the parade.
Daniel Everson, 36, told the news outlet: "I tried to hold on to the front of the car and try and stop it, push it, do whatever I could (to stop it) from hitting my partner and my baby.
"And my partner went under the wheels of the car, of the front of the car, and it rolled over her leg, and I just bounced off to the side, but my boy and his pram got bounced totally in the opposite direction - about 15ft down the road."
The Prime Minister visited Liverpool on Wednesday afternoon to speak to police chiefs about the incident.
Sir Keir Starmer travelled to the force headquarters in Liverpool to meet Deputy Chief Constable Chris Green, Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims, Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell and Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram.
He told the meeting: "The scenes on Monday were just awful, to see how incredible joy at an amazing achievement turned to horror in a moment.
"Steve, the mayor, has been keeping me informed and updated along with my team but it's really important to be here to go through this first hand with you, so thank you for making time and ensuring that I get to see the detail in the way that I'd like to."
Police said extensive CCTV enquiries were being carried out across the city to establish the movements of the car before the incident took place.
Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson said: “I’m pleased to say that the number of people in hospital is reducing as they continue to recover from the awful incident.
“We continue to support those still receiving treatment and as part of our ongoing enquiries we are identifying more people who were injured.
“I want to reassure the public of Merseyside that detectives are making significant progress as we seek to establish the full circumstances that led to what happened.
“We have already had an incredible response from many of those who were there on the day, and I thank them for their co-operation with our investigation.
“I would encourage anyone who has not yet contacted police who may have information on this incident to do so.
“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.”
Messages of support have been sent to the people of Liverpool, including from the King who said: "I know that the strength of community spirit for which your city is renowned will be a comfort and support to those in need."
The Prince and Princess of Wales also said they were "deeply saddened" by the parade crash, adding: "What should have been a joyful celebration ended with tragedy."
