Liverpool mayor's 'immediate concern' as he explains why parade meant so much
Liverpool mayor Steve Rotheram spoke on Good Morning Britain today about the parade crash, which happened on Water Street in the city shortly after 6pm
Liverpool mayor Steve Rotheram has spoken out following the parade crash. A large number of people were rushed to hospital after a car drove through a crowd in Liverpool as the city celebrated the Premier League title.
Mr Rotheram appeared on Good Morning Britain today, where he spoke with hosts Susanna Reid and Ed Balls about the events of yesterday. Police were called to the incident on Water Street shortly after 6pm.
A dark grey people-carrier was seen driving through the crowd, where it ploughed into dozens of fans while beeping its horn. The car reportedly stalled mid-way through the street, before later continuing to accelerate into the crowd. Horrific footage from the scene showed numerous people thrown to the floor as the car continued to accelerate.
Speaking on the show today, Mr Rotheram said: "I get why so many people are so upset by this. Don't forget there were people in the immediate vicinity of where this happened, and so they may well need some support aswell.
"All of thoughts should be for them to come through this and have a speed recovery. I get why so many people are genuinely upset by all this. This was a day - an outpouring of joy and euphoria because it was denied to Liverpool fans five years ago because of Covid."
Mr Rotheram was referring to how Liverpool won the Premier League back in the 2019/20 season but was unable to celebrate with a huge parade, as the football clubs always do, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement about last night's incident, Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said it wasn't being treated as terrorism. She said: "I want to thank all of the emergency services, partner agencies and members of the public who came to the assistance of the injured following this evening's shocking incident, which we declared a major incident.
"This had been a joyous day in Liverpool with hundreds of thousands of people lining the streets to celebrate Liverpool Football Club's victory parade. A number of people have been injured and were taken to hospital. In addition, a large number of people of all ages were treated at the scene, but did not require hospital treatment."
Merseyside Police confirmed they had arrested a 53-year-old White British man from the Liverpool area.
A police statement read: "We would ask people not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding tonight's incident on Water Street in Liverpool city centre. 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 @MerPolCC or pass on information by calling 101 quoting log 784."
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