Police detention of Liverpool parade suspect extended

RTÉ News​

3 days ago

Police in England have been given more time to question a man suspected of driving a car into a crowd at Liverpool's Premier League victory parade on Monday.
The 53-year-old, who is from the city, is being held on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and drug driving.
Merseyside Police said that seven people remain in hospital in a stable condition after the car hit pedestrians on Water Street and they have identified 79 people who were injured.
Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson said: "I'm pleased to say that the number of people in hospital is reducing as they continue to recover from the awful incident.
"We continue to support those still receiving treatment and as part of our ongoing inquiries we are identifying more people who were injured.
"I want to reassure the public of Merseyside that detectives are making significant progress as we seek to establish the full circumstances that led to what happened.
"In addition, extensive CCTV inquiries 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 cooperation with our investigation.
"An extensive investigation into the precise circumstances of the incident is ongoing and we continue to ask people not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding the incident and refrain from sharing distressing content online."
Police believe the car was able to follow an ambulance crew attending to someone suffering from a heart attack after a road block was temporarily lifted.
More than 50 people, including children, were treated in different hospitals.
Water Street has reopened to traffic after police tents were removed from the scene.
with only a few cards and flowers left by the side of the road by well-wishers.
Solidarity across city makes Liverpool 'special place'
Everton manager David Moyes praised the way the community in Liverpool has supported each other in the wake of Monday's events.
He said he believes the solidarity is "one of the things that makes this city special".
"The people ... always come together in times of hardship," Mr Moyes added in a statement issued by the football club.
"We always stand together in the most difficult times".
Both clubs' supporters have a shared history of supporting each other, most notably since the 1989 Hillsborough disaster in which 97 Liverpool fans died.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot offered a similar sentiment in his acceptance of the League Managers Association's manager of the year award.
The Dutchman did not attend the event in London "out of solidarity with all affected" and explained his thinking in a letter.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the wider football community, including the LMA itself, the Premier League and many clubs who will be represented, for the support we have received.
"Football is and always should be a game built on rivalry, but it is also a great source of comradeship, especially at times like this."