Liverpool parade crash driver arrested on suspicion of 'driving while unfit through drugs', police say

Australia Broadcast Center

27-05-2025

Police suspect a man they arrested after a car ploughed into large crowds of people in Liverpool, north-west England, earlier this week could have been driving while affected by drugs.
Officers arrested a 53-year-old local man at the scene, on Water Street in the city centre, just after 6pm Monday, local time (2am Tuesday AEST).
Hundreds of thousands of Liverpool Football Club fans had packed in to the surrounding area to watch a parade marking their team's English Premier League title win.
While the police investigation is ongoing, and no charges have been laid yet, Detective Chief Superintendent Karen Jaundrill on Tuesday said the man had been "arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving offences and driving while unfit through drugs".
She said detectives were making "significant progress" with their probe and reiterated that police did not believe terrorism was a factor in the incident.
Authorities say there have so far been 65 "casualties" connected to the incident. Of those, 50 were treated in hospital, and 11 were still there on Tuesday afternoon.
"They appear to be recovering well," said Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims, from the local constabulary, Merseyside Police.
Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims described Monday's incident as "devastating" and said police had "worked extensively" with event organisers to try and ensure the parade was carried out safely.
She said Water Street had been closed to traffic, but that it was "believed" the car's driver was able to follow an ambulance through a road block that had been temporarily lifted.
Meanwhile, King Charles III says he and Queen Camilla, who are not in the UK right now, have been left "deeply shocked and saddened" by the incident.
The royal couple touched down in Ottawa, Canada for a two-day tour around the time the crash took place.
In a statement posted to social media, King Charles said: "My wife and I were deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the terrible events that took place in Liverpool on Monday."
"It is truly devastating to see that what should have been a joyous celebration for so many could end in such distressing circumstances.
"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 other individuals who rushed to the aid of the injured."
Liverpool FC have a global fanbase, and the O'Brien family travelled from Ireland to be part of Monday's parade, which took place on a public holiday in the UK.
They were on Water Street when the incident unfolded and were initially in the car's path.
"We were walking, singing and having a good time. And the next thing was, people were just pushing us to one side because this car was coming at us," Marie O'Brien said.
"It was the ordinary people that just saved everybody. It would have been worse, only for people seeing it happen, pushing us."
Melbourne man Corey Judd travelled to Liverpool to watch the parade and said the day had initially started well.
"Everyone we met was having absolute blast and everyone was happy," he said.
"It was just such a great mood and welcoming of people from other countries."
Mr Judd was about 200 metres from where the incident unfolded, and said the mood changed immediately.
"It just it felt like such a dampener on everything that had happened. It was horrible," he said.