How Liverpool has dealt with the aftermath of the trophy parade crash

Metro

a day ago

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It was supposed to be a day of joy and celebration.
But the elation of Liverpool's Premier League trophy parade on Monday came to an abrupt and devastating halt when a car crashed into crowds lining the city's streets.
Moments after the bus containing Reds heroes went past Water Street, babies' prams were thrown into the air and fans wearing the iconic Liverpool shirt found themselves trapped under the wheels of a Ford Galaxy.
Paul Doyle, 53, has appeared in court charged with multiple offences, including causing grievous bodily harm with intent and dangerous driving.
A total of 79 people were injured (Picture: X)
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He has also been charged with injuring or attempting to injure six people –
including two children.
In the aftermath, Metro has been in Liverpool talking to the community on how they're trying to recover from Monday's scenes.
But if there's one community that has the spirit needed to recover, it's the city of Liverpool.
Police officers cover with an inflatable tent (Picture: AFP)
'It doesn't matter who you are, people come together'
'No one knows how to do it like us,' Charlie Azzopardi told Metro. 'I don't know anywhere else in the country that comes together like we do.'
Charlie is a survivor of the Hillsborough disaster which claimed the lives of 97 people in a crowd crush at a Liverpool FC match.
He said Monday's crash took him 'right back' to the moment he saw the Hillsborough crowd becoming fatally out of control.
Charlie Azzopardi (left) helped raise money for victims (Picture: Brooke Davies/Social media)
Paul Doyle has been charged with harming or attempting to harm six football fans
'I was with my granddaughters, and I was so scared there was going to be a Hillsborough scale disaster, so we left just minutes before the crash,' he said.
But once back home and working behind the bar at Coopers Townhouse in the heart of the city, an impromptu decision to raise money for the young victims of the crash saw £200 raised for Alder Hey Hospital.
Charlie said: 'When something bad happens in Liverpool, it doesn't matter who you are, people come together.
'We still have that Hillsborough spirit of looking after each other.'
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'Heroes' helped shelter children
Just metres from the site of the crash, Indian restaurant Mowgli became the triage centre for those injured.
Although the restaurant itself has declined to be interviewed, Metro has heard from a number of people at the scene how they rushed to look after people as panic took hold around them.
One mum, who wanted to remain anonymous to protect her 14-year-old child's identity, told Metro: 'My daughter was in the middle of eating when suddenly the staff politely informed them no bill was to be paid.
Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Paul Doyle, 53, appearing at Liverpool Magistrates' Court (Picture: Elizabeth Cook/PA Wire)
'They thought it was a car accident, but at that point there were rumours of a terror attack and I panicked.
'It was a small thing, but staff helped them remain calm and put their safety first.'
People started 'singing again'
Over at Liverpool's iconic Mathew Street – where tourists flock to drink at the Beatle's themed bars and soak up live music – it took just hours for people to 'start singing again'.
After the crash, the atmosphere 'instantly dipped', but business owners knew how quickly the community would bounce back.
Kiera told Metro: 'This area was near the last stop, and soon enough we had people running in telling us about it.
'A dad came in with his two young kids crying by his side – they had witnessed the whole thing. It was very sad.'
But she said it wasn't long until people were 'singing again'.
'It is quiet for a Tuesday night but I can imagine people are just hungover,' she said.
'Nothing will change this street, the atmosphere will always be what it is.'
Owen, bar worker at King John, told Metro: 'It's quiet tonight, but I don't think because of the crash.
'The atmosphere has been good on Mathew Street – always is.'
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