How brave Liverpool fans desperately smashed driver's window as rampage horror unfolded leaving 4 kids among 47 injured

The Sun

27-05-2025

FURIOUS footie fans desperately smashed the windows of a car after it ploughed through crowds in Liverpool yesterday.
What should have been a day of glory for the city turned into devastating carnage after a vehicle rammed into pedestrians.
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At around 6pm on Monday, half a million people lined the streets for a victory parade after The Reds lifted the Premier League trophy.
But joy swiftly turned to horror when a dark grey Ford Galaxy ploughed into footie fans.
Several people were thrown to the sides and some fell beneath the rampaging vehicle.
Cops then had to fight back the fuming pedestrians who were trying to get at the suspect in the back of a police van.
Fire crews arrived to find four people trapped under the vehicle, including a child, and worked quickly to free them.
Around 27 people were rushed to hospital, two - including a child -had serious injuries.
At 2.30pm, hundreds of thousands packed the streets to watch a ten mile open-top bus tour as the team celebrated winning the Premier League.
Some revellers climbed traffic lights to get a view of their heroes and crimson flares were set off during the ten-mile city tour.
It was the first time since 1990 Liverpool could celebrate a title win with a parade, their 2020 success coming during the pandemic.
But as the parade began to wind down just before 6pm, a dark grey Ford Galaxy suddenly appeared in Water Street.
Distressing footage shows the car moments before it ploughed into the crowd.
It was in the midst of footie fans, with some appearing agitated and one reaching for the car door handle.
The driver swung the door closed before putting his foot down as shocked pedestrians watched on in horror.
Some gave chase, attacking the car in a desperate bid to stop it.
Despite their efforts, numerous people were thrown to the sides and some fell beneath the rampaging vehicle.
After pushing through dozens of footie fans for around 20m, the car came to a stop.
Furious fans rushed the vehicle, battering it and smashing through the windows.
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Ambulances, a hazardous area response team, MERIT doctors, North West Air Ambulance and senior clinicians were very quickly on scene to offer aid and treatment.
Emergency ambulances took patients to the Royal Liverpool, Alder Hey, Arrowe Park and Aintree Hospitals.
Around 20 patients were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
Around 27 people were rushed to hospital, two - including a child -had serious injuries.
Meanwhile, cops had to fight back the fuming pedestrians who were trying to get at the suspect in the back of a police van.
Merseyside issued a statement on the horror crash soon after.
The force quickly addressed the incident, saying: "We are currently dealing with reports of a road traffic collision in Liverpool city centre.
"We were contacted at just after 6pm today, Monday 26 May, following reports a car had been in collision with a number of pedestrians on Water Street.
"The car stopped at the scene and a male has been detained.
"Emergency services are currently on the scene. We will issue more updates as we have them."
The North West Ambulance Service released their own statement on the tragic incident.
"All of us at North West Ambulance Service are horrified and saddened that a day of celebration for the people of Liverpool could end in such terrible circumstances.
"Our thoughts are with everyone who witnessed the incident and those who have been injured."
The statement added: "Our cyclist paramedic was also unfortunately struck by the vehicle, but we are pleased to report that no injuries were sustained.
"We also know some patients have self-presented at local hospitals.
"We are working closely with our partners at Merseyside Police and share their appeal for calm.
"This is indeed, an appalling incident, and we understand that people will be deeply upset. The people of Liverpool have shown many times before that you are a strong community, you support one another.
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"North West Ambulance Service share with you the frustration that this wonderful day has ended like this.
"To the people of Liverpool, we are sorry this has happened to you today – we are all thinking of you."
The fire services were told about the tragedy at 6.07 and were on the scene within four minutes.
They arrived to find four people trapped under the vehicle, including a child, and worked quickly to free them.
A Water Street witness, Peter Jones, 44, from the Isle of Man, said: 'We heard a frantic beeping ahead and a car flew past me and my mate.
'People were chasing it and trying to stop him. A lot of people were injured.'
Daniel Jones, 28, said he was only feet from the people carrier when it was driven through a crowd of people.
He said: 'Luckily my wife had just gone up to the hotel with my three-year-old son. I dread to think what would have happened if they hadn't done that.
'It was a horrifying scene.'
A man from Belfast in his 30s outside the Riva restaurant said: 'I was right by the car. One minute I was having the best day of my life. The next second, the worst.
'I'm so freaked out. I'd give up every title ever for that not to have happened.'
At around 7.30pm, reports said the Prime Minister and Home Secretary were being briefed.
Soon after, Sir Keir released a statement calling the incident "appalling".
"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 the space they need to investigate."
Half an hour after that, Liverpool FC released a statement on X.
It read: "We are in direct contact with Merseyside Police regarding the incident on Water Street which happened towards the end of the trophy parade earlier this evening.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this serious incident.
"We will continue to offer our full support to the emergency services and local authorities who are dealing with this incident."
Shortly after 8pm, police issued a further short statement confirming they had arrested a man thought to be the driver.
"We would ask people not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding tonight's incident on Water Street in Liverpool city centre.
"We can confirm the man arrested is a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area.
"Extensive enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances leading up to the collision.
"We would ask people not to share distressing content online but to send the footage or information directly to us."
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As updates filed in, eyewitnesses told of the horror that unfolded in front of their eyes.
Harry Rashid, 48, who was at the parade with his wife and two young daughters, said: 'It happened about ten feet from us.
'We had no control over where we would be because the street was very narrow. The vehicle came to our right. It emerged from just right next to a parked ambulance.
'It pulled up from the right and rammed into all the people at the side of us. It was fast. The noise was terrifying.'
Mr Rashid, of Solihull, West Mids, described how crowds began trying to smash the car windows.
He said: 'The driver stalled for a few seconds, probably about ten. Then loads of people a bit further back started rushing at him trying to smash his windows.
'But then he put his foot down again and just ploughed through the rest of them.
'It was horrible. It looked clearly deliberate. So many innocent people, fans just wanting to enjoy the parade, were hurt.'
He added: 'I just wanted my kids to get off the road regardless because I couldn't trust whether there's a follow-up attack or something like that, because you're just exposed there on the pavement.
'It was all horrendous, so horrendous.'
Shortly before 9pm, Yvette Cooper wrote on X: "Thank you to the police and emergency services for their swift response to the truly shocking and horrendous scenes in Liverpool this evening.
"Thinking of all those affected at this very difficult time. The police are investigating and I'm being kept updated on developments."
The mayor of Liverpool City Region 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.
"This is a difficult day for our city region, but we stand together."
Minutes later, The Premier League issued a statement, saying it is "shocked by the appalling events in Liverpool this evening".
A spokesperson added: "Our heartfelt thoughts go out to all those injured and affected.
"We have been in contact with Liverpool FC and have offered our full support following this serious incident."
By 9.30pm, the chaotic scenes had calmed down and the streets were cleared.
North West Ambulance Service said on X: "We have now cleared the scene following the incident in Liverpool and will be updating on casualty numbers at a press conference scheduled for later tonight."
The overwhelmed local hospitals urged members of the public not to call to ask about their loved ones.
NHS University Hospitals Liverpool Group said: "Following the incident in Liverpool city centre this evening, we know that many people are concerned about loved ones.
"Next of kin will be contacted, so please help us to manage the incident as best we can by refraining from calling our switchboard."
At 11pm, police updated the public via a press conference.
Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims thanked emergency services and called the evening a "terrible tragedy".
"What I can tell you is that we believe this to be an isolated incident and we are not currently looking for anyone else in relation to it.
"The incident is not currently being treated as terrorism."
Four kids among 47 injured after white British man, 53, 'ploughed' car into Liverpool FC parade as cops rule out terror
By Patrick Harrington and Nawal Abdisamad
FOUR children are among 47 people injured after a car ploughed "full-throttle" into a crowd at Liverpool FC's Premier League victory parade.
A 53-year-old white British man from the Merseyside area was arrested at the scene and is believed to have been the driver of the car.
The disturbing events followed a day of jubilation in Liverpool after The Reds lifted the Premiere League trophy on Sunday.
An estimated half a million people had lined the streets to celebrate the win, despite the miserable weather.
But as the parade began to wind down at 6pm, carnage unfolded.
The devastating scenes saw a dark grey Ford Galaxy accelerating and making a sharp-right turn into the milling fans, including young families.
Distressing footage shows the car moments before it ploughed into the crowd.
It was in the midst of footie fans, with some appearing agitated and one reaching for the car door handle.
The driver swung the door closed before putting his foot down as shocked pedestrians watched on in horror.
Some gave chase, attacking the car in a desperate bid to stop it.
Despite their efforts, numerous people were thrown to the sides and some fell beneath the rampaging vehicle.
After pushing through dozens of footie fans for around 20m, the car came to a stop and the driver was arrested at the scene.
Furious fans rushed the vehicle, battering it and smashing through the windows.
Cops then had to fight back the fuming pedestrians who were trying to get at the suspect in the back of a police van.
Fire crews arrived to find four people trapped under the vehicle, including a child, and worked quickly to free them.
Around 27 people were rushed to hospital, two - including a child -had serious injuries.
The North West Ambulance Service said 20 were treated at the scene, with more patients self-presenting later on
Haunting photos show fans kitted out in their footie merchandise with blankets around their shoulders, supported and kept on their feet by emergency services.
Liverpool city council leader Liam Robinson said the ordeal "cast a very dark shadow over what had been a joyous day".