Latest news with #SpringBankHoliday
Daily Tribune
5 days ago
- Daily Tribune
Man Arrested After Liverpool Crash Injures Dozens
TDT | Manama A joyous day in Liverpool turned to chaos on Monday evening when a grey Ford Galaxy crashed into a crowd of football fans celebrating Liverpool FC's Premier League title, injuring more than 50 people. Merseyside Police have arrested a 53-year-old man from West Derby, Liverpool, on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving, and driving while unfit through drugs. The incident, which occurred on Water Street just after 6:00 PM, has cast a shadow over what should have been a rejoiceful moment for the city. A Celebration Turned Tragic The streets of Liverpool were alive with an estimated one million fans, gathered for a 10-mile victory parade to mark the club's first Premier League title since 2020. With the Spring Bank Holiday freeing up schedules, supporters lined the route to cheer their team's open-top bus procession. But as the event wound down, disaster struck when the car, believed to have followed an ambulance through a temporarily lifted roadblock, careered into the crowd, sending several people into the air and trapping four, including a child, beneath its wheels. Injuries and Emergency Response Emergency services acted swiftly, with 50 people treated for injuries, including four children. Eleven victims remain in hospital, all in stable condition and reportedly recovering well, according to Deputy Chief Constable Jenny Sims. Firefighters worked to free those trapped under the vehicle, while ambulances and an air ambulance rushed to the scene. Witnesses described harrowing scenes, with one fan recalling how the driver appeared to panic as the crowd began banging on the car, leading to a chaotic sequence of reversing and accelerating. Police Rule Out Terrorism Merseyside Police have stated the incident is not being treated as terrorism and believe the driver acted alone. The force was quick to release details of the suspect—a 53-year-old white British man from Liverpool—to counter social media speculation about the incident's nature. Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram praised the police's transparency, noting lessons learned from last year's Southport riots, where online misinformation fuelled unrest. 'We needed to get the story out quickly,' Rotheram said, highlighting the dangers of unchecked speculation. Outpouring of Support The incident has drawn heartfelt responses from across the football world and beyond. King Charles III, currently in Canada, expressed his shock and sadness, while Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared that 'the whole country stands with Liverpool.' Princess Anne visited the Royal Liverpool University Hospital to meet medics and victims, and Liverpool FC issued a statement offering support to those affected. Former manager Jürgen Klopp, who attended the parade, called it 'one of the greatest days' marred by tragedy, while current captain Virgil van Dijk prayed for the injured. Investigation Underway As Water Street remains cordoned off, Merseyside Police are reviewing CCTV footage to trace the car's movements and establish the full circumstances. The force has urged the public not to share distressing videos online, with forensic teams continuing to gather evidence amid tributes of flowers, cards, and toys laid near the scene. With the suspect in custody until at least Wednesday afternoon, questions linger about how the vehicle breached the parade's security measures, a point Home Secretary Yvette Cooper declined to address pending the ongoing investigation. A City in Reflection Liverpool, a city synonymous with football passion, now grapples with the aftermath of this devastating incident. As the club cancels further title celebrations, the focus remains on supporting the victims and their families. For now, the investigation continues, but the scars of a day that began with jubilation will linger for those caught in its tragic turn.
Dubai Eye
6 days ago
- Dubai Eye
Car ploughs into fans at Liverpool parade, 27 in hospital
A car ploughed into a crowd of Liverpool fans during a parade celebrating their side's Premier League soccer title on Monday, hospitalising 27 people, with two seriously injured. Police said they had arrested a "53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area," whom they believed to be the driver of the vehicle which struck a large group of supporters who were celebrating in the city in northwest England. Twenty people were treated at the scene. Ambulance officials said of the 27 taken to hospital, four were children. One child and one adult were in a serious condition. Four people trapped under the vehicle had to be released by firefighters. Videos on social media showed people thrown into the air as the car rammed into spectators. When the car stopped, angry fans converged on it and began smashing the windows as police officers intervened to prevent them from reaching the driver. "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 being treated as terrorism," temporary Deputy Chief Constable Jenny Sims told reporters. With most people off work for the Spring Bank Holiday, hundreds of thousands of fans gathered to watch the Liverpool team and its staff travel through the city centre on an open-top bus with the Premier League trophy. An eyewitness said the collision happened about 10 minutes after the bus carrying the Liverpool team had passed by, the British Broadcasting Corporation reported. The incident "cast a very dark shadow over what had been a joyous day," Liverpool city council leader Liam Robinson said on social media. In the aftermath, a Reuters photographer saw emergency services carrying victims on stretchers to ambulances and debris scattered on the road. An eyewitness to Monday's incident who gave her name as Chelsea told BBC Radio that people packed onto the street were only alerted to the danger by screams from the crowd. That enabled some to jump out of the way as the driver showed no sign of slowing. "With the commotion, that was the only reason we looked up, and thankfully, looked up and managed to jump out (of) the way in time," the woman said. Liverpool last won the trophy during the COVID pandemic when celebrations were not permitted due to lockdowns. A Reuters witness said that before the incident, there was disorder in the city centre where the parade was due to pass, with overcrowding and spectators confused by a lack of signage about street closures or where they should go. "My thoughts are with all those injured or affected," Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on X, calling the scenes "appalling" and saying he was being updated about the events. The team said on X it was in direct contact with police. "Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this serious incident," Liverpool FC said.
AsiaOne
6 days ago
- AsiaOne
Man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after Liverpool parade crash, World News
LIVERPOOL, England - A 53-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drugs after a car ploughed into a crowd of Liverpool fans during a Premier League title parade, injuring more than 50, British police said. Eleven victims remained in hospital in a stable condition on Tuesday (May 27) , police said, adding that they all appeared to be recovering well. British police believe the incident, in a packed Liverpool city centre on Monday, was isolated and not an act of terrorism. They said the driver of the grey Ford Galaxy people-carrier involved in the incident was believed to have followed an ambulance into a closed street when a road block was lifted to allow paramedics to attend to a suspected heart attack victim. Videos posted online showed the vehicle driving through the street crowded with fans, sending several flying into the air and dragging at least four under its wheels. When the vehicle stopped, angry people converged on it and began smashing the windows as police officers battled to prevent them from reaching the driver. Police said 50 people, including children, had been treated for their injuries, with 11 still in hospital. "They are all in a stable condition, and I am pleased to say that they appear to be recovering well," Deputy Chief Constable Jenny Sims said. King Charles, who is visiting Canada, said he was "deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the terrible events". His sister, Princess Anne, met medics who had treated some of the injured at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital. A million people With most people off work for the Spring Bank Holiday, officials estimated that around 1 million people descended on the 10-mile (16 km) parade route to watch the Liverpool team travel through the city on an open-top bus with the Premier League trophy. Liverpool last won the league in 2020, ending a 30-year-wait, but fans were unable to celebrate due to lockdowns during the pandemic. Police said the car hit the spectators as the event was winding down. In the aftermath, a Reuters photographer saw emergency services carrying victims on stretchers and in their arms to nearby ambulances. One source told MailOnline that it looked like the driver panicked when he realised he was in the crowd and people started banging on his car. The driver, who was sounding his horn, reversed and then accelerated forwards, according to reports from other witnesses. Police were unusually quick to provide a description of the man they arrested, saying around two hours after the incident he was a "53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area." Former police officers and local politicians said that statement was needed to cool social media speculation that the episode was an Islamist attack. "That was one of my first concerns, that we needed to get the story out quickly," Mayor of Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram told the BBC. "If there's a vacuum, we know there are some elements that will try to inflame the situation and to create that speculation and to put misinformation out there." The same police force oversaw the response to the murder of three young girls in the nearby town of Southport last year, an incident which sparked days of rioting, fuelled initially by speculation online over the identity of the attacker. [[nid:718449]]
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- New Straits Times
Man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after Liverpool parade crash
LIVERPOOL, England: A 53-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drugs after a car ploughed into a crowd of Liverpool fans during a Premier League title parade, injuring more than 50, British police said. Eleven victims remained in hospital in a stable condition on Tuesday, police said, adding that they all appeared to be recovering well. British police believe the incident, in a packed Liverpool city centre on Monday, was isolated and not an act of terrorism. They said the driver of the grey Ford Galaxy people-carrier involved in the incident was believed to have followed an ambulance into a closed street when a road block was lifted to allow paramedics to attend to a suspected heart attack victim. Videos posted online showed the vehicle driving through the street crowded with fans, sending several flying into the air and dragging at least four under its wheels. When the vehicle stopped, angry people converged on it and began smashing the windows as police officers battled to prevent them from reaching the driver. Police said 50 people, including children, had been treated for their injuries, with 11 still in hospital. "They are all in a stable condition, and I am pleased to say that they appear to be recovering well," Deputy Chief Constable Jenny Sims said. King Charles, who is visiting Canada, said he was "deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the terrible events." His sister, Princess Anne, met medics who had treated some of the injured at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital. A MILLION PEOPLE With most people off work for the Spring Bank Holiday, officials estimated that around 1 million people descended on the 10-mile (16 km) parade route to watch the Liverpool team travel through the city on an open-top bus with the Premier League trophy. Liverpool last won the league in 2020, ending a 30-year-wait, but fans were unable to celebrate due to lockdowns during the pandemic. Police said the car hit the spectators as the event was winding down. In the aftermath, a Reuters photographer saw emergency services carrying victims on stretchers and in their arms to nearby ambulances. One source told MailOnline that it looked like the driver panicked when he realised he was in the crowd and people started banging on his car. The driver, who was sounding his horn, reversed and then accelerated forwards, according to reports from other witnesses. Police were unusually quick to provide a description of the man they arrested, saying around two hours after the incident he was a "53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area." Former police officers and local politicians said that statement was needed to cool social media speculation that the episode was an Islamist attack. "That was one of my first concerns, that we needed to get the story out quickly," Mayor of Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram told the BBC. "If there's a vacuum, we know there are some elements that will try to inflame the situation and to create that speculation and to put misinformation out there." The same police force oversaw the response to the murder of three young girls in the nearby town of Southport last year, an incident which sparked days of rioting, fuelled initially by speculation online over the identity of the attacker.
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Attempted murder arrest after Liverpool parade crash
A 53-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drugs after a car ploughed into a crowd of Liverpool fans during a Premier League football title parade, injuring more than 50, British police said. Eleven victims remained in hospital in a stable condition on Tuesday (local time), police said, adding that they all appeared to be recovering well. British police believe the incident, in a packed Liverpool city centre on Monday, was isolated and not an act of terrorism. They said the driver of the grey Ford Galaxy people-carrier involved in the incident was believed to have followed an ambulance into a closed street when a roadblock was lifted to allow paramedics to attend to a suspected heart attack victim. Videos posted online showed the vehicle being driven through the street crowded with fans, sending several flying into the air and dragging at least four under its wheels. When the vehicle stopped, angry people converged on it and began smashing the windows as police officers battled to prevent them from reaching the driver. Police said 50 people, including children, had been treated for their injuries, with 11 still in hospital. "They are all in a stable condition, and I am pleased to say that they appear to be recovering well," Deputy Chief Constable Jenny Sims said. King Charles, who is visiting Canada, said he was "deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the terrible events". His sister, Princess Anne, met medics who had treated some of the injured at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital. A MILLION PEOPLE With most people off work for the Spring Bank Holiday, officials estimated that around 1 million people descended on the 16km parade route to watch the Liverpool team travel through the city on an open-top bus with the Premier League trophy. Liverpool last won the league in 2020, ending a 30-year-wait, but fans were unable to celebrate due to lockdowns during the pandemic. Police said the car hit the spectators as the event was winding down. In the aftermath, a Reuters photographer saw emergency services carrying victims on stretchers and in their arms to nearby ambulances. One source told MailOnline that it looked like the driver panicked when he realised he was in the crowd and people started banging on his car. The driver, who was sounding his horn, reversed and then accelerated forwards, according to reports from other witnesses. Police were unusually quick to provide a description of the man they arrested, saying around two hours after the incident he was a "53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area." Former police officers and local politicians said that statement was needed to cool social media speculation that the episode was an Islamist attack. "That was one of my first concerns, that we needed to get the story out quickly," Mayor of Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram told the BBC. "If there's a vacuum, we know there are some elements that will try to inflame the situation and to create that speculation and to put misinformation out there." The same police force oversaw the response to the murder of three young girls in the nearby town of Southport last year, an incident which sparked days of rioting, fuelled initially by speculation online over the identity of the attacker.
