Liverpool driver arrested over attempted murder, drug driving
PA Media/dpa
London
A driver who allegedly ploughed into a crowd at Liverpool's victory parade has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and drug driving.
Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said the force believes the car which struck pedestrians was able to follow an ambulance crew attending to someone suffering a heart attack after a road block was temporarily lifted. Detective Chief Superintendent Karen Jaundrill said there were a total of 65 confirmed casualties following the incident on Water Street in the city centre on Monday.
More than 50 people were treated in different hospitals and 11 people remained there on Tuesday in a stable condition. Sims said: '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 heart attack.'
She added: 'There was no intelligence to suggest an incident of this nature would take place.' 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.
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Liverpool driver arrested over attempted murder, drug driving
PA Media/dpa London A driver who allegedly ploughed into a crowd at Liverpool's victory parade has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and drug driving. Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said the force believes the car which struck pedestrians was able to follow an ambulance crew attending to someone suffering a heart attack after a road block was temporarily lifted. Detective Chief Superintendent Karen Jaundrill said there were a total of 65 confirmed casualties following the incident on Water Street in the city centre on Monday. More than 50 people were treated in different hospitals and 11 people remained there on Tuesday in a stable condition. Sims said: '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 heart attack.' She added: 'There was no intelligence to suggest an incident of this nature would take place.' 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.
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NWAS officer Dave Kitchin said ambulances were dispatched, as well as a hazardous area response team, an air ambulance, doctors and senior clinicians to the site. 'Our emergency ambulances took patients to our NHS colleagues at Royal Liverpool, Alder Hey, Arrowe Park and Aintree Hospitals,' Kitchin said, referring to the hospitals the injured were taken to. Nick Searle, MFRS chief fire officer, told the news conference that, after learning about the incident, they promptly dispatched three fire engines to Water Street. 'Our crews rapidly lifted the vehicle, removed people from beneath and passed them to our ambulance colleagues.' Liverpool City Council leader Robinson told the news conference that the incident 'cast a very dark shadow over what had been a joyous day'. 'We are working closely with Merseyside Police to support their investigation, and with other relevant organisations to make sure those affected get the appropriate support,' he added. In an update on X on Monday evening, NWAS wrote that it had 'cleared the scene following the incident in Liverpool'. 'Specialist officers have been put in place to support the injured and their families,' Sims said. She requested people to refrain from sharing the 'distressing footage' of the incident, adding that information, including video footage, can be submitted to the Major Incident Police Portal (MIPP). 'My fire crews will maintain a visible and reassuring presence in the coming days and weeks,' MFRS's Searle said. 'The scenes in Liverpool are appalling — my thoughts are with all those injured or affected,' British Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote in an X post. 'I want to thank the police and emergency services for their swift and ongoing response to this shocking incident.' The scenes in Liverpool are appalling — my thoughts are with all those injured or affected. I want to thank the police and emergency services for their swift and ongoing response to this shocking incident. I'm being kept updated on developments and ask that we give the police… — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) May 26, 2025Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram said: 'Our hearts go out to all of those affected, especially those who have been injured. Thank you, as ever, to the first responders for their professionalism and swift action.' Our hearts go out to all of those affected, especially those who have been injured. Thank you, as ever, to the first responders for their professionalism and swift action. This is a difficult day for our city region, but we stand together. — Steve Rotheram (@MetroMayorSteve) May 26, 2025
