A 53-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drugs after dozens of people were hit by a vehicle at Liverpool’s Premier League victory parade.
In an update on Tuesday, Merseyside Police said they believe the driver of the Ford Galaxy car involved in the incident was able to follow an ambulance into a sealed-off part of the city before ploughing into the crowd of celebrating fans.
The suspect, from the West Derby area of Liverpool, remains in custody and is being interviewed by officers.
The number of people confirmed injured in the incident has risen to 65 with than 50 people treated in hospital.
One Liverpool fan run down at the club’s victory parade described how he “locked eyes” with the driver and “pleaded for him to stop” moments before the car ploughed into him.
Jack Trotter, 22, was enjoying celebrating his team’s success when he found himself “face to face” with the Ford Galaxy on Water Street in the city centre on Monday.
The stricken Northern Irishman was helped by fellow fans and locals into a nearby pub until emergency services arrived to take him to hospital.
Photos of the father-of-one being carried by two firemen while wearing a Liverpool scarf were on the front pages of several national papers on Tuesday.
Eleven people remain in hospital but are all in a stable condition and appear to be recovering well, Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said.
She told a press conference: “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.
“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.
“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.”
Authorities have been facing questions over how the suspect made his way into the closed-off city centre before veering into pedestrians during the celebrations.
Ms Sims defended the policing operation during the parade, telling reporters that the force planned for “all contingencies” – including road closures and an armed police presence.
She said there was “no intelligence” that the incident would take place.
At least four children were among those injured when the Ford Galaxy appeared to accelerate into the fans on Water Street at around 6pm on Bank Holiday Monday, turning a day of joy in the city into one of horror.
Four people trapped under the grey people carrier, including a child, were rescued by firefighters.
The city’s metro mayor Steve Rotheram on Tuesday said earlier on Tuesday the “big question” was how the car ended up on the road despite being closed at the time.
The parade’s route stretched 10 miles from Allerton Maze to Liverpool City Centre and lasted around five hours.
As such a number of roads, including Water Street, were closed.
Sources told the Daily Mail there were bollards at the eastern end of the road, at the junction of Dale Street, but these were moved to allow an ambulance to pass through.
A witness described the suspect“tailgating” the emergency vehicle to access Water Street, while another witness said the car “navigated” past a “road closed” sign to travel towards The Strand.
Speaking to reporters at the scene on Tuesday, Mr Rotheram said questions about how the car was able to enter Water Street were "legitimate", as it was “blocked off” by officials.
“At this end of it, which is the direction that it was coming in, towards The Strand, there were literally hundreds of thousands of people here, so no vehicle would have got through anyway,” he said.
"The questions, I suppose, are legitimate, but we have to give the police the time to conclude their investigations, which is what they're doing."
Permanent and temporary barriers and bollards are used commonly to protect the public on busy streets during large-scale events.
Mr Rotheram told BBC Radio 5 Live four people are still "very, very ill in hospital", adding that he was hopeful that those seriously injured “pull through very, very quickly”.
He told the broadcaster: “The actual incident in Water Street will live with those people for all the wrong reasons, and that's where we have to really focus our minds.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he had spoken to Mr Rotheram about the incident, adding: “Everyone, especially children, should be able to celebrate their heroes without this horror.
“The city has a long and proud history of coming together through difficult times.
“Liverpool stands together and the whole country stands with Liverpool.”
Meanwhile, King Charles and Queen Camilla said they were “deeply shocked and saddened” to hear about the crash.
In a statement, the couple, who are currently visiting Canada, said: “At this heartbreaking time for the people of Liverpool, I know that the strength of community spirit for which your city is renowned will be a comfort and support to those in need.
“Our prayers and deepest sympathy are with all those who have been affected, and my special gratitude goes out to the first responders, emergency services personnel and others individuals who rushed to the aid of the injured.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales said they were "deeply saddened" by the scenes.
William, who is patron of the Football Association, and his wife Kate said in a personal message on social media: "What should have been a joyful celebration ended with tragedy.
"Our thoughts are with those who were injured and to the first responders and emergency services on the ground."
The Princess Royal visited the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, where medical staff spoke of how they were "very, very fortunate" that there were no more injuries.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said he is "praying for a speedy recovery" for those hurt.
Van Dijk wrote on an Instagram Story: "My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected. Praying for a speedy recovery for everyone who suffered injuries. We are all with you."
Van Dijk's team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was born and grew up in West Derby close to the club's former Melwood training ground, expressed his sympathies on Instagram, adding: "The city will continue to pull together as it always does."
Fellow Scouser and former captain Steven Gerrard wrote on Instagram he was "shocked, sickened, and saddened".
Ex-Reds manager Jurgen Klopp, who attended Sunday's game against Crystal Palace and watched Monday's parade from close to where the incident would later occur, said his family were "shocked and devastated".
"Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who are injured and affected. You'll never walk alone," he added on Instagram.
