Terrified fans took refuge in Liverpool pub after parade crash

Daily Record

27-05-2025

Bobby Dix, who runs the Pig & Whistle pub, said around 80 people took shelter after the car was driven into dozens of Liverpool fans.
A landlord in Liverpool says people "knocked out of the way" by the car involved in the parade crash took refuge inside his venue in the wake of the incident.
Bobby Dix, who runs the Pig & Whistle pub on Covent Garden, said around 80 people took shelter after the car was driven into dozens of Liverpool fans. Thousands of people were in the city centre to celebrate the club's Premier League title-win.
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Mr Dix, who has been in charge of the pub since last summer, told the Echo: "It was a really joyful day until late. What happened for us was we saw violence kicking off about halfway up Covent Garden. We shuffled the people we had in the little queue inside. It was only after I locked down the pub and got inside that people were saying what they saw.
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"A couple of the people who were in had been knocked out of the way by people who got struck by the vehicle. They were really close to being hit and were saved by other people's misfortune. Other people were there and saw it. It was a horrific scene and they were just glad to be somewhere safe. For me it was just making sure people were warm and dry.
"The spirit was actually good in the pub because everyone was safe. We were pouring beer and everything was okay. There were probably about 80 people in there, so I was close to capacity. Luckily capacity matched the demand."
Mr Dix said that police advised him and his staff not to open the door onto Covent Garden, so they closed it for the rest of the evening. The landlord added: "We were on a bit of a lockdown.
"They never stopped us from letting people leave but we had to escort them up through the accommodation and through a separate exit. It was probably an hour before people learned a bit more about the incident and were anxious to get out to find what happened to their friends and loved ones who were still out in the street."
At least 65 people were injured as the car collided with pedestrians. Fifty of those were taken to hospital, with 11 still receiving treatment. They were all said by police to be in a stable condition and appearing to be recovering well.
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Merseyside Police confirmed today that a 53-year-old man, who was arrested at the scene, is from West Derby. He was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving offences and driving while unfit through drugs.
We reported earlier today that the driver may have been attempting to follow an ambulance through the crowds. Multiple sources claimed that the driver of the Ford Galaxy had possibly tailgated an ambulance was a working theory for how the car had gained access to Water Street.
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At a press conference held this afternoon, Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims told the media police were following this line of enquiry. She said: "It is believed the driver of the Ford Galaxy car involved in this incident was able to follow an ambulance on Water Street. After the road block was temporarily lifted so the ambulance crew could attend to a member of the public who was having a suspected heart attack.
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"As with many large events, with event organisers, we plan 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.
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"There was no intelligence to suggest an incident of this nature would take place, and as we've previously stated, the incident is not being treated as terrorism."
A large police presence remains around Water Street and Dale Street, as well as a number of side roads, as police continue to work at the scene. A large blue evidence tent remains on Water Street. Last night the streets packed with fans quickly emptied as police erected a huge cordon around the area.
Mr Dix added: "It was more shock for most people. You know these things can happen when there's a big crowd, but you don't ever expect it. It was just a horrible thing. For something like this to happen at the height of everyone's emotions is really devastating.
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"It's a bit of a ghost town at the moment. It's a bit isolated. There's very little pedestrian traffic. It's mostly just sombre-looking, soggy police folk."
Merseyside Police, who is receiving support from neighbouring forces, confirmed the suspect remains in police custody, with the force applying until tomorrow lunchtime (May 28) before they have to make the decision to charge or release him. Detective chief superintendent Karen Jaundrill, head of investigations at Merseyside Police, said: "Our detectives are of course speaking to any witnesses, including those injured, witnesses at the scene and emergency responders as we seek to get a full picture of exactly what happened.
"In addition, extensive CCTV enquiries are being carried out across the city to establish the movements of the car, a Ford Galaxy, before the incident took place. We have already had an incredible response from many of those who were there on the day, and I thank them for their co-operation with our investigation."