‘Big question' over how car was on road before Liverpool parade incident
A 53-year-old man was arrested after the 'horror' incident and four children were among around 50 who were injured – including one child who was seriously hurt.
Merseyside Police said the suspect was the driver of the car, white, British and from the Liverpool area, and added that it was not being treated as terrorism.
Speaking to reporters at the scene on Tuesday, Rotheram said questions about how the car was able to enter the road were 'legitimate'.
He said: 'Water Street was not a route where vehicles were supposed to be using it, it was blocked off.
'At this end of it, which is the direction that it was coming in, towards The Strand, there were literally hundreds of thousands of people here, so no vehicle would have got through anyway.
'The questions, I suppose, are legitimate, but we have to give the police the time to conclude their investigations, which is what they're doing.'
Questions are being asked as to how a car was able to drive into crowds and injure dozens of people, but no clear answers have yet emerged.
The risk of such attacks was laid bare in 2016 when a lorry ploughed into pedestrians in Nice, France, and the following year in London when vehicles were driven into crowds on Westminster Bridge and London Bridge.
Both permanent and temporary barriers and bollards are used commonly to protect the public, as seen in the massive security operation for the Queen's funeral in 2022 which was the largest ever deployment of such measures.
Footage of the incident circulating online appeared to show people in the crowd following the Liverpool's celebrations attempting to get close to the driver of the car, with one managing to open the driver's car door.
Videos then appeared to show the driver close the car door before suddenly speeding up and veering into pedestrians on both sides of the crowded street.
The clips posted on social media then showed people from the crowds attempt to chase the driver – with some kicking the vehicle and smashing the back window.
Officers quickly surrounded the car as witnesses attempted to stop the driver, who was eventually detained by police.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live on Tuesday, Rotheram said he was hopeful that those seriously injured 'pull through very, very quickly'.
Our CEO Billy Hogan has issued a message following the incident that occurred on Water Street during Monday's trophy parade in the city.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 27, 2025
He told the broadcaster: 'The actual incident in Water Street will live with those people for all the wrong reasons and that's where we have to really focus our minds.
'There are still four people who are very, very ill in hospital and we are hoping of course that they pull through very, very quickly.'
Former Reds manager Jurgen Klopp, who attended Sunday's final game of the season before watching the parade, wrote on Instagram: 'My family and I are shocked and devastated. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who are injured and affected. You'll never walk alone.'
Liverpool chief executive Billy Hogan said in a video posted on the club's website: 'This weekend was one of celebration, emotion and joy spread across the city in our entire fan base, and it ended in unimaginable scenes of distress with this appalling incident.
'I'd like to pay tribute to our emergency services and partner agencies – Merseyside Police, North West and St John Ambulance Services, and Merseyside Fire and Rescue – who dealt with the incident, and now our hospital staff across the city who are dealing with those who are injured, including tragically four children.
'I would also like to thank our supporters who witnessed this event and helped each other where they could.
'We continue to work with the emergency services and the local authorities to support their ongoing investigation and once again we would ask if anyone has any further information about the incident, please contact Merseyside Police.'
The Prime Minister said he was in close contact with Rotheram about the incident, adding: 'Scenes of joy turned to utter horror and devastation, and my thoughts and the thoughts of the whole country are with all of those that are affected, those injured, which of course includes children, their families, their friends, the whole community, Liverpool fans everywhere.'
Sir Keir Starmer also said it was a 'matter for the police' that they gave details about the man who was arrested.
Nick Searle, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service chief fire officer, said four people who were trapped under the car, including a child, were rescued by firefighters.
At a press conference late on Monday evening, Dave Kitchin from North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) said 27 people were taken to hospital and 20 people were treated at the scene, with four children among the injured.
He said two of those taken to hospital, including one of the children, suffered serious injuries.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leader Live
2 hours ago
- Leader Live
Judge denies justice department request to unseal Epstein grand jury transcripts
The ruling on Wednesday by Judge Richard Berman in Manhattan came after the judge presiding over the case against British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's former girlfriend, also turned down the government's request. Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence after her conviction on sex trafficking charges for helping Epstein sexually abuse girls and young women. Epstein died in jail awaiting trial. A US justice department spokesperson declined to comment. Judge Berman said the information contained in the Epstein grand jury transcripts 'pales in comparison to the Epstein investigative information and materials in the hands of the Department of Justice.' According to his ruling, no victims gave evidence before the Epstein grand jury. The only witness, the judge wrote, was an FBI agent 'who had no direct knowledge of the facts of the case and whose testimony was mostly hearsay'. The agent gave evidence over two days, on June 18 and July 2 2019. The rest of the grand jury presentation consisted of a PowerPoint slideshow shown during the June 18 session and a call log shown during the July 2 session, which ended with grand jurors voting to indict Epstein. Both of those will also remain sealed, Judge Berman ruled. Maxwell's case has been the subject of heightened public focus since an outcry over the justice department's statement last month saying that it would not be releasing any additional documents from the Epstein sex trafficking investigation. The decision infuriated online sleuths, conspiracy theorists and elements of US President Donald Trump's base who had hoped to see proof of a government cover-up. Since then, Trump administration officials have tried to cast themselves as promoting transparency in the case, including by requesting from courts the unsealing of grand jury transcripts. 'The government is the logical party to make comprehensive disclosure to the public of the Epstein file,' Judge Berman wrote in an apparent reference to the justice department's refusal to release additional records on its own while simultaneously moving to unseal grand jury transcripts. 'By comparison,' he added, 'the instant grand jury motion appears to be a 'diversion' from the breadth and scope of the Epstein files in the government's possession. The grand jury testimony is merely a hearsay snippet of Jeffrey Epstein's alleged conduct.' Meanwhile, Maxwell was interviewed at a Florida courthouse weeks ago by US deputy attorney general Todd Blanche, and the house oversight committee had also said that it wanted to speak with Maxwell. Her lawyers said they would be open to an interview but only if the panel were to ensure immunity from prosecution. In a letter Maxwell's lawyers, representative James Comer, the committee chairman, wrote that the committee was willing to delay the deposition until after the resolution of Maxwell's appeal to the Supreme Court. That appeal is expected to be resolved in late September. Mr Comer wrote that while Maxwell's testimony was 'vital' to the Republican-led investigation into Epstein, the committee would not provide immunity or any questions in advance of her testimony, as was requested by her team.
South Wales Guardian
2 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Judge denies justice department request to unseal Epstein grand jury transcripts
The ruling on Wednesday by Judge Richard Berman in Manhattan came after the judge presiding over the case against British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's former girlfriend, also turned down the government's request. Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence after her conviction on sex trafficking charges for helping Epstein sexually abuse girls and young women. Epstein died in jail awaiting trial. A US justice department spokesperson declined to comment. Judge Berman said the information contained in the Epstein grand jury transcripts 'pales in comparison to the Epstein investigative information and materials in the hands of the Department of Justice.' According to his ruling, no victims gave evidence before the Epstein grand jury. The only witness, the judge wrote, was an FBI agent 'who had no direct knowledge of the facts of the case and whose testimony was mostly hearsay'. The agent gave evidence over two days, on June 18 and July 2 2019. The rest of the grand jury presentation consisted of a PowerPoint slideshow shown during the June 18 session and a call log shown during the July 2 session, which ended with grand jurors voting to indict Epstein. Both of those will also remain sealed, Judge Berman ruled. Maxwell's case has been the subject of heightened public focus since an outcry over the justice department's statement last month saying that it would not be releasing any additional documents from the Epstein sex trafficking investigation. The decision infuriated online sleuths, conspiracy theorists and elements of US President Donald Trump's base who had hoped to see proof of a government cover-up. Since then, Trump administration officials have tried to cast themselves as promoting transparency in the case, including by requesting from courts the unsealing of grand jury transcripts. 'The government is the logical party to make comprehensive disclosure to the public of the Epstein file,' Judge Berman wrote in an apparent reference to the justice department's refusal to release additional records on its own while simultaneously moving to unseal grand jury transcripts. 'By comparison,' he added, 'the instant grand jury motion appears to be a 'diversion' from the breadth and scope of the Epstein files in the government's possession. The grand jury testimony is merely a hearsay snippet of Jeffrey Epstein's alleged conduct.' Meanwhile, Maxwell was interviewed at a Florida courthouse weeks ago by US deputy attorney general Todd Blanche, and the house oversight committee had also said that it wanted to speak with Maxwell. Her lawyers said they would be open to an interview but only if the panel were to ensure immunity from prosecution. In a letter Maxwell's lawyers, representative James Comer, the committee chairman, wrote that the committee was willing to delay the deposition until after the resolution of Maxwell's appeal to the Supreme Court. That appeal is expected to be resolved in late September. Mr Comer wrote that while Maxwell's testimony was 'vital' to the Republican-led investigation into Epstein, the committee would not provide immunity or any questions in advance of her testimony, as was requested by her team.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Unshaven Huw Edwards spotted still wearing wedding ring despite 'marriage breakdown' reports
Huw Edwards, former BBC news presenter, is still wearing his wedding ring although his wife Vicky reportedly launched divorce proceedings in October 2024 Former BBC newsreader Huw Edwards has been spotted in public with his wedding ring still firmly on his finger, despite reports that his marriage to wife Vicky Flind has broken down. The disgraced broadcaster, 64, was photographed in Swansea earlier this week, marking his birthday with miniature bottles of prosecco. He was wearing his wedding band in the images. Edwards and Vicky Flind were married for three decades and share five children. However, it was reported in October 2024 that Flind had filed for divorce. Reports at the time suggested he had moved out of the family home and that their long marriage had come to an end. However, his wedding band was clearly visible in the photos taken in Wales, where he could be seen clutching three small bottles of fizz and a baseball cap while heading to his car. The sighting comes during his ongoing public fall from grace. Although he was once one of the most respected faces on British television, Edwards has largely vanished from the public eye since pleading guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children. He was sentenced in February to six months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, after admitting to possessing seven Category A images – the most serious – alongside dozens of Category B and C images. Though Edwards avoided an immediate prison term, his sentencing made clear how close he came to jail. The court handed down a suspended sentence after hearing of his major depressive disorder and the considerable risks he would face in custody. Alongside the suspended sentence, Edwards was ordered to complete a 40-day Sex Offender Treatment Programme and attend 25 rehabilitation sessions to address both his mental health and alcohol use. He also lost his career over the incident, and Edwards resigned from the BBC in April 2024, a year after he last appeared on air to announce the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Since then, the Welsh journalist has kept an extremely low profile, only being seen a handful of times. Earlier this year, he was photographed vaping in public, with onlookers describing him as "a shadow of his former, super-confident self". Flind, who is a TV producer, has not publicly commented on the current state of their relationship. She was previously praised for standing by Edwards during his mental health struggles and his wife's comment about his mental health problems at the time.
