Schoolboy Liverpool fan's mum 'feared the worst' after he was left in street following parade crash

ITV News

2 days ago

The mum of a schoolboy Liverpool fan hurt in the parade crash says she "feared the worst" when she saw him lying in the street following the incident.
Maria and Nikitas, 12, travelled to the city centre to watch the Premier League champions parade in front of the Liver Building and, when the bus passed, made their way back up Water Street with hundreds of others.
But, as they joined the crowds, Maria says the atmosphere suddenly changed when she heard the noise of a vehicle beeping and people screaming.
"I had limited visibility until the car literally came in front of us and hit us," she said.
"I went flying to one side of the car and my son went flying to the other.
"I managed to get up off the floor, I was panicking looking around and then I saw my son lying still on the other side of the road. That's when I started freaking out, I lost it at that point.
"I saw people rush over to him, they lifted his head up and he started screaming 'mum, mum', so obviously I was thinking the worst, I didn't know what injuries he had at the time.
"I didn't think about being hit myself, I was just running on adrenaline."
Maria and Nikitas are not covered by reporting restrictions imposed after Paul Doyle, 53, was charged with seven offences in relation to the incident, covering six complainants.
"Nikitas has been obsessed with Liverpool FC since birth and going to the parade has become a tradition for me and him; this was the third one we had been to together, he was so excited," Maria said.
"The plan was to go and grab a burger in town and then get the train home. There were thousands of people walking up Water Street at this point, and we couldn't see much.
"We were basically looking at our feet, with our hands in the air trying to take a view videos. The atmosphere was amazing, we were having a great time."
Speaking about those who helped Nikitas, Maria, who lives with her son in Liverpool, added: "I cannot thank the people that attended to my son enough.
"Passers-by, first responders, everyone. People were amazing. I wouldn't have expected less from our city.
"I felt this cross between shock and distress but also immense pride in what everyone did to help. I have never felt so much love."
Nikitas was carried by a paramedic to the Riva Blu restaurant at the top of Water Street where other casualties were being assessed. His ankle had ballooned and his arm was causing him a lot of pain.
He was then taken by ambulance to Alder Hey Children's Hospital where X-Rays revealed he had suffered fractures to his ankle and wrist. He has since been using a wheelchair to get around.
"It is very unfortunate for him because he is right handed, he's a gamer and an avid footballer, obviously it's half-term, it is very miserable for him," Maria said.
"Mentally he is not doing great. He has moments, so do I. I was crossing the road the other day and someone came abruptly into the petrol station and I jumped back and started crying.
"You think you are ok and then something comes in and triggers it.
"On Nikie's side, because of his age, it is so frustrating, he is upset."
Nikitas is due to go back to Alder Hey for an assessment on his injuries, and is currently wearing large plaster casts on his arm and leg but has been told these may be changed.
His mum added: "He is quite excited about this because he has been told he can choose the colour of his new casts - and you know he is going for red."
Paul Doyle, 53, of Burghill Road in West Derby appeared before Liverpool's magistrates and crown courts on 30 May after being charged with a series of alleged offences relating to the incident in Water Street on 26 May.
He is next due in court for a plea hearing on 14 August.