UPDATE: The man has been arrested. More information here.
A MAN has been detained after a car collided with pedestrians in Liverpool city centre during Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory parade.
Emergency services descended on Water Street after Merseyside Police were contacted just after 6pm on Monday with reports of the incident.
The car stopped at the scene and a man was detained.
Liverpool City Councillor John Hughes estimated in excess of one million people were attending, beating the 750,000 present for the 2019 Champions League parade.
Footage showed police cordons in place around the heavily littered road, with a large police presence, ambulances and a fire engine also at the scene.
Liverpool FC held an open-top bus parade to celebrate its Premier League triumph, with fans lining the streets along the 10-mile route.
A spokesman for Liverpool City Council said: “We are currently liaising with Merseyside Police regarding an incident on Water Street in the city centre.”
Liverpool Riverside MP Kim Johnson, whose seat includes the city centre, said: “I sincerely hope all those involved are safe and get home to their loved ones soon.”
A spokesperson for the North West Ambulance Service said: “NWAS is supporting an incident in Liverpool city centre, following reports of a road traffic collision.
“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.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is also being kept updated about the events in Liverpool, it is understood.
In a statement posted on social media Liverpool FC said: “We are in direct contact with Merseyside Police regarding the incident on Water Street which happened towards the end of the trophy parade earlier this evening.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this serious incident.
“We will continue to offer our full support to the emergency services and local authorities who are dealing with this incident.”
A witness, who was walking with a group of friends, said he saw a car “speeding up” and hit pedestrians.
The man, who gave his name as Maddra, told PA news agency the “car turned left mounted pavement, come towards us and runs towards the buildings.”
He said “we got out the way and it was speeding up”.
He said he thought he saw two people being hit and added, “it looked deliberate” and “it has just ruined the day really”.
One witness described the “frantic” moment the car ploughed into the crowds in Liverpool.
Peter Jones, 44, from the Isle of Man, attended the parade and described the incident as “shocking”.
He said: “We were walking up Water Street, thousands around us.
“We heard a frantic beeping ahead, a car flew past me and my mate, people were chasing it and trying to stop him, windows smashed at the back.
“He then drove into people, police and medics ran past us, and people were being treated on the side of the road.
“There were a lot injured. We heard it behind us hit the crowds, then we saw half a dozen people [injured] in the road as we were walking up.”
“It was shocking. We’re back at our hotel now, in a bit of a shock.”
