Latest news with #crowdincident
The Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Liverpool parade crash latest: Suspect revealed as ‘married father-of-three' as police given more time to question him
The man arrested on suspicion of injuring almost 80 people after a car ploughed into crowds celebrating a football parade in Liverpool has been revealed to be a father-of-three. The suspected driver is reportedly a married businessman who has been described as a 'nice family man' by neighbours, according to The Mirror. Police have been given more time to question the 53-year-old suspect after a car ploughed into a crowd at Liverpool 's victory parade on Monday, as the number of injured people climbed to 79. The white British man from West Derby, Liverpool, remains in custody after he was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and driving under the influence of drugs. Seven people remain in hospital in a stable condition after a car rammed into the busy crowd on Water Street and police are speaking to those injured as part of an ongoing investigation. The prime minister visited Liverpool to speak with police chiefs on Wednesday afternoon. Inside the aftermath of one of Liverpool's darkest days Treading slowly out of their Airbnb on to the heavily-policed street, the O'Brien family turned to inspect the aftermath of the appalling events the evening before. Behind the tangled cordon, empty beer bottles and takeaway boxes were strewn across the deserted road. In the distance, a forensic officer checked the road surface for evidence. For the sombre-looking family-of-four, it was like waking up from a violent nightmare, hoping it was just a dream. But it wasn't. Less than 24 hours earlier, the group were among thousands of joyous Liverpool fans packed into the street for their team's Premier League -winning parade. Inside the aftermath of one of Liverpool's darkest days As questions swirl around Liverpool as to how a vehicle ploughed into dozens of people, Alex Ross finds a unified city steely in its determination to move forward Holly Evans29 May 2025 05:00 Why police released suspect's details so quickly Within two hours of a car ploughing into crowds in Liverpool city centre, police had confirmed the alleged driver was a 53-year-old white man from the Merseyside area. No doubt desperate to halt the spread of misinformation online, which had already begun to circulate on social media along with graphic footage of the incident, Merseyside Police made the unusual decision to share the suspect's ethnicity and nationality at the earliest stages of the investigation. It marks a 'complete step change' in their approach to the response to the horrific knife attack in Southport last summer, police commentators have noted. A vacuum of information in the aftermath of the stabbing at a children's dance class was filled with misinformation about the suspect's ethnicity and asylum status, which helped to fuel angry far-right riots which erupted across the country. Liverpool parade crash: Why police released suspect's details so quickly Releasing details of the suspect's ethnicity and nationality so quickly has been described as 'complete step change' from the response to the Southport attack as police try and quash online disinformation Holly Evans29 May 2025 04:00 Met chief: Forces will more often have to release details about suspects earlier Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said in the future 'we would always want to be more transparent in terms of the data we release' when asked if police in Liverpool were right to release the ethnicity of the suspect. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'I'm not going to criticise another police chief who makes a judgment in a really difficult, complex situation. Every case needs judging on its merits. I think as we go forward in the future, we would always want to be more transparent in terms of the data we release. Sometimes the nature of the investigation, the nature of case, makes that difficult, but in principle of course, transparency is good.' Asked if moving in the direction of declaring a suspect's ethnicity sooner is the way to go, Sir Mark added: 'In general, I think we have to be realistic and more often… put more personal details in public, earlier.' He added that we are in an age of citizen journalism and 'some content will be all over social media very, very quickly' and people will be 'making guesses and inferences' so 'in that world, putting more facts out is the only way to deal with it'. Sir Mark also said if those facts 'embolden racists' in some cases then 'we need to confront those individuals', and added: 'Trying to avoid truths when half the truth is in the public domain is going to be quite difficult, going forward.' Holly Evans29 May 2025 03:00 The Liverpool parade crash has brought out the best in our police As a police officer of more than 25 years – and as a lifelong Liverpool FC supporter – the events of Water Street on Monday evening were impossible to watch with anything other than a sense of abject horror. An occasion of joyous celebration turned, in just a handful of moments, into one of unspeakable trauma. Whenever I see footage of police officers running in the opposite direction to a fleeing crowd, I remember my years in blue. The painful privilege of policing is to venture repeatedly into the hurting places: at the scenes of crimes, and of every kind of catastrophe. And, in those places, to see things that you can never unsee. In my two and a half decades spent policing in London, I worked with endless vast crowds: at Premier League and Champions League football matches; at Notting Hill Carnival; on New Year's Eve in Trafalgar Square; at central London demonstrations. It is a challenge at the best of times, keeping tens of thousands of innocent people safe as they sing and protest and dance and march. The Liverpool parade crash has brought out the best in our police Merseyside Police's response to a car ploughing into celebrating crowds has been a timely reminder of the force's capacity for great humanity at the very worst of times, says former Met chief superintendent John Sutherland Holly Evans29 May 2025 02:00 Liverpool fan 'pleaded' with driver to stop as he ploughed into crowd A Liverpool fan run down at the club's victory parade has described how he 'locked eyes' with the driver and 'pleaded for him to stop' moments before the car ploughed into him. Jack Trotter, 22, was enjoying celebrating his team's success when he found himself 'face to face' with the Ford Galaxy on Water Street in the city centre on Monday. The stricken Northern Irishman was helped by fellow fans and locals into a nearby pub until emergency services arrived to take him to hospital. Photos of the father-of-one being carried by two firemen while wearing a Liverpool scarf were on the front pages of several national papers on Tuesday. Mr Trotter, from Newtownards, County Down, escaped without serious injury and has been discharged from hospital, but fears he could be left with walking problems for weeks. How a city came together after Liverpool's dream title parade turned into a nightmare This shouldn't have been the story. Crammed onto the waterfront like sardines, breathing in the red mist, Liverpool fans were realising a 35-year dream. In the pelting rain, it felt like nothing could dampen the mood. Their club were Premier League champions, and unlike five years ago, they were there to see it. Little did they know the horrors that were about to unfold. A stone's throw away, a car believed to be driven by a 53-year-old Liverpudlian ploughed into his own people. A devastating turn of events that left 65 fans, including four children, injured - some fighting for their lives. Cheers turned into screams. A dream turned into a nightmare. How Liverpool united after title parade turned from dream to nightmare Liverpool had waited 35 years to celebrate a Premier League title in front of fans, but their dream parade ended in unforeseen disaster. Will Castle reports from the waterfront Holly Evans29 May 2025 00:00 Liverpool parade crash suspect is 'married businessman and father-of-three' The suspected driver arrested after almost 80 people were injured when a car ploughed into crowds at the Liverpool victory parade has been revealed to be a father-of-three. The man arrested at the scene is reportedly a married businessman who has been described as a 'nice family man' by neighbours who were left in disbelief at the devastation that unfolded on Monday, according to The Mirror. Merseyside Police have been given extended powers to keep the 53-year-old man from the West Derby area in custody, after he was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and drug driving. The man's identity has not yet been released or confirmed by the police. One neighbour told The Mirror: 'It seems completely out of character. They are such a nice family, the boys are really nice and well-behaved. [He] is a fantastic guy. He came over to help us when our alarm went off once, and then did the same for our immediate neighbours too. 'It just doesn't make sense. It doesn't feel right. They are lovely. The whole thing is so sad - for his wife and children and also for the people who were injured.' Liverpool parade crash suspect is 'married businessman and father-of-three' Neighbours have said his arrest is 'completely out of character' Holly Evans28 May 2025 23:21 Merseyside Police praised for quickly dismissing speculation over Liverpool crash Merseyside Police praised for quickly dismissing speculation over Liverpool crash Merseyside Police have been praised for acting swiftly after a car ploughed into crowds in Liverpool city centre to dismiss any speculation over the identity of the alleged driver. Within two hours of the incident at Liverpool's Premier League victory parade, authorities said the suspect was a 53-year-old white British man from the Merseyside area. Mayor of Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram said that false reports of similar incidents elsewhere in the city caused 'real consternation'. Four children were among the 27 people rushed to hospital following the incident on Monday evening, while 20 others were treated at the scene for minor injuries. Holly Evans28 May 2025 23:00 Mother dragged by car at Liverpool parade feared baby son had died A m other dragged on the bonnet of a car at the Liverpool parade has shared the horrifying moment she spotted her six-month-old baby's pram lying upside down in the road after the pair were hit by the vehicle. Sheree Aldridge feared she and her son, Teddy, would die after the Ford Galaxy vehicle ploughed into them in Water Street on Monday evening. The 36-year-old was pushing the pram alongside her partner Dan Eveson when they saw an ambulance making its way down the road, followed by a sudden noise that sounded like a brawl. 'I don't like fighting and get really anxious, so I turned around and wanted to get the baby out of the way,' she told The Independent from her hospital bed on Wednesday morning. Mother dragged by Liverpool parade crash car feared baby son in pram had died Exclusive: Sheree Aldridge feared for the worst after she was struck by the Ford Galaxy vehicle while pushing her six-month-old baby in a pram in Water Street during the Liverpool FC victory parade Holly Evans28 May 2025 21:59 Full statement from Merseyside Police as they search CCTV Officers are scouring CCTV footage to piece together the Ford Galaxy's movements before the incident, Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson. She 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 enquiries 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 enquiries 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 co-operation with our investigation. 'I would encourage anyone who has not yet contacted police who may have information on this incident to do so. 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.' Holly Evans28 May 2025 21:25
Sky News
4 days ago
- Health
- Sky News
New footage shows Liverpool parade collision as panicked fans tried to flee
New footage has emerged showing a car being driven into the crowd at Liverpool's victory parade - as panicked fans watched in horror and tried to avoid being hit. The CCTV footage shows people in the packed crowd attempting to move out of the way as the vehicle ploughs into supporters. Cries can be heard from the crowd - before police and members of the public chase after the car. It comes as police continue to question a 53-year-old man arrested over the incident - and the road where it happened reopened. The suspect is being held on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and drug driving. Merseyside Police believes the vehicle which struck pedestrians on Water Street on Monday had followed an ambulance crew that was attending to someone suffering a heart attack, after a road block was temporarily lifted. Detective Chief Superintendent Karen Jaundrill said 65 people were injured following the collision. 3:10 More than 50 people, including children, were treated in different hospitals and 11 people remained there on Tuesday in a stable condition. The crash took place as around a million people lined the streets of the Merseyside city to celebrate Liverpool's Premier League title win. Providing an update on the investigation, Ms Jaundrill said the suspect - a white British man from the West Derby area of Liverpool - remains in custody and is being interviewed by officers. Water Street has now reopened, with traffic travelling down towards The Strand on Wednesday morning. Police tents put in place in the road after Monday's incident had gone, and bottles, cans and scarves left on the ground had been cleared away. A Liverpool flag remained on top of traffic lights and some remnants of police incident tape could be seen on signposts and in a bin. Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims has defended the policing operation during the parade, telling reporters that the force planned for "all contingencies" - including road closures and an armed police presence. She added: "There was no intelligence to suggest an incident of this nature would take place." 0:38 Liverpool manager Arne Slot decided not to attend the League Managers Association's annual awards ceremony on Tuesday night "in solidarity with those affected by the incident on Monday". In a statement where he announced he would not be attending the event, where he was due to receive two awards, Slot said: "I would also like to pay tribute to the emergency services and other authorities in Liverpool who swung into action as soon as the incident happened." He added: "Along with the supporters and bystanders who helped one another in an hour of need, I think everyone involved in the aftermath deserves the gratitude of all of us." Meanwhile, speaking at an awards ceremony on Tuesday, former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said the collision on Water Street "showed the two faces of life". 0:52 He said: "The most beautiful face for a long, long time: the parade was incredible, the mood was incredible and from one second to another everything changed and we learned again there are more serious things in the world than football. "Thoughts and prayers go to the injured people and their families as well. "It should have been one of the greatest days in the history of the city, after a long, long time, because we didn't have the opportunity to do it last time. I don't know how and why it happened but we know what happened and that's very bad." Messages of support have been sent to the people of Liverpool since the incident, including from the King who said: "I know that the strength of community spirit for which your city is renowned will be a comfort and support to those in need." The Prince and Princess of Wales also said they were "deeply saddened" by the parade crash, adding: "What should have been a joyful celebration ended with tragedy."
The Guardian
4 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
Wednesday briefing: How police got ahead of disinformation in Liverpool
Good morning. It was supposed to be a day of joy. Half a million people packed out the square mile to catch a glimpse of the Liverpool team that won the Premier League. Among the fans were families and children. Then a car ploughed into the crowd – turning a day of smiles and revelry into one of shock and horror. At least 65 people, including children, were injured on Monday, with 27 people taken to hospital. Local authorities said four people were left 'very ill'. Keir Starmer said the scenes were appalling, while the home secretary, Yvette Cooper, called the incident 'shocking and horrendous'. In a bid to tackle misinformation, Merseyside police released details that the detained driver was a 53-year-old white British man. What hangs over all of this, of course, is the dreadful attack in Southport almost a year ago, where disinformation about the murder of three girls sparked riots that spread across the country. Merseyside police, which dealt with the Southport attack, is now dealing with this incident. The decision by police in Liverpool to quickly release the details of the suspect's race and ethnicity has surprised many. For today's newsletter, I spoke to Dal Babu, a former chief superintendent in the Metropolitan police, about why we're seeing this difference in approach, and what it may mean for the police, the media and local communities. That's after the headlines. UK politics | The Treasury is in a standoff with ministers over proposed cuts to public services, with key departments yet to agree their budgets. The news comes as the International Monetary Fund suggested the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, could give herself more flexibility to hit her fiscal rules. Gaza | Israeli troops opened fire near thousands of hungry Palestinians as a logistics group chosen by Israel to ship food into Gaza lost control of its distribution centre on its second day of operations. The chaos fanned fears that the group's inexperience would render it unable to handle the operation. Reform UK | Nigel Farage has been accused of leaving a multibillion-pound black hole in his party's spending plans with a series of expensive policy pledges to be paid for by cutting nonexistent items. Farage promised up to £80bn worth of new spending including scrapping the two-child benefit cap. Canada | King Charles has said Canadians can 'give themselves far more than any foreign power on any continent can ever take away' in a rare appearance in the country's parliament. Charles's speech, written by the Canadian prime minister's office, served as a rebuke of Donald Trump. Entertainment | After an extensive search, the actors set to play the new leads of the Harry Potter TV series have been found. Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton were chosed from tens of thousands of hopefuls. There are strict rules that govern what police officers can release, what journalists can report, and what members of the public can say around a story involving a crime. The reason is that every suspect has the right to a fair trial, and the release of certain information can jeopardise that trial. 'In the old days,' said Dal Babu, 'I remember sensitive incidents that would occur and I'd speak to broadcast media, I'd speak to radio media, print journalists – people you realised were interested in telling the truth, had a degree of integrity and understood the greater good of communities. People respected your confidentiality. 'It's not that you were trying to suppress any story,' he continued, 'but it's about the timing and the amount of information that you were prepared to supply and correct any misinformation that journalists might have been given. I don't think you can do that with social media.' This precedent came under heavy pressure following the Southport murders, where three young girls – Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice da Silva Aguiar – were killed in a frenzied knife attack by Axel Rudakubana in July last year. The teenager pleaded guilty to all charges at Liverpool crown court earlier this year. Misinformation quickly spread on social media about Rudakubana, a British child who was born to Rwandan Christian parents in Cardiff. And after hundreds peacefully gathered for a vigil the following evening in Southport, the burning and rioting began. Far-right agitators attacked the police and the mosque in Southport. The riots then quickly spread across England. At the time, Babu explained: 'There was a dispute between the police and the Crown Prosecution Service about whether the individual should be named or any details given. The view basically is that there's a danger that it will impact a trial in terms of fairness.' This time, police took a different approach. The response in Liverpool In the immediate aftermath of the Liverpool incident, police described the suspect as a 53-year-old white British man. 'This is the first instance I can think of where literally within hours they've named the ethnicity and the race of the individual,' Babu said. 'This is a sea change, and it's unprecedented and it may be the way that the police need to be more fleet of foot.' Babu points to how significant information spreads online, and how difficult it can be to control it. But he is keen to stress that, while this situation is unprecedented, it shouldn't be seen as setting the standard going forward. 'Every incident will be different. But people may feel that if there's a future incident they're entitled to know the ethnicity and race, and it may not be appropriate to release it.' While he thinks the police were correct to share information on this occasion to combat the racist and Islamophobic misinformation on social media, he admits they may now face a conundrum. 'It doesn't take rocket science to predict what will happen: the far right will twist this and say, 'Right, you've named [the race] because it's a white person. Why aren't you naming the [the race of] the next person?' And it will present some difficulties and challenges to the police.' He added: 'But it's really important that there is space and time for a debate on this in a sort of very measured way.' Anti-social media At the heart of the issue are social media platforms such as X, formerly known as Twitter. 'You can't have these nuanced conversations on X. I'm not on X because it's just a cesspool … that allows the most horrific discrimination,' Babu said. Even though the police in Liverpool announced the race and ethnicity of the suspect, conspiracy theories were still swirled around on the platform by far-right actors. 'Some of them actually shared an image of a man who they said was the driver. In fact, he was a totally innocent man, who had nothing to do with the incident. It just demonstrates how out of control social media is. We've gone from a very, very, well, significantly regulated media system to a free-for-all on X.' He points to the disinformation following the death of Nicola Bulley as another example. She went missing while walking her dog in Lancashire in January 2023. Her disappearance grabbed the attention of 'self-appointed experts on the subjects' who turned up to the area, Babu said. These wannabe sleuths then posted misleading theories about what had happened. 'The police were trying to rectify misinformation, but then ended up being criticised.' Incidents such as these show that the days when police officers such as Babu can tightly manage what's being released to the public by briefing journalists on a very complex investigation are gone. 'You can have those conversations, but you've still got social media,' he said. The way forward? When asked what should be done, Babu said: 'It's important that people who make racist comments, extremist comments, cause hate speech, misinformation, are removed from [a] platform.' But online platforms, he admitted, can't be trusted to self-police: 'They've got a vested interest in sort of clickbait traffic, which generates income from adverts.' And police, he noted, shouldn't be left alone to handle this. 'It's important to have very strong legislation to deal with this. I think regulation is the only answer; allowing people just to say what they want is very dangerous, because some people believe it.' But instead of beefing up the Online Safety Act there have been whispers that it may be watered down as part of trade negotiations with the US. It remains unclear whether events in Liverpool will lead to a rethink. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Journalist Adele Zeynep Walton (pictured holding a self-portrait of her sister) described her sister Aimee's death as suicide – until she learned about the pro-suicide forum that she says groomed Aimee until the choice was no longer truly her own. Paula Cocozza's interview describes Walton's remarkable crusade to expose one of the darkest corners of the internet. Archie The Guardian's Laura Snapes was at a Kylie Minogue gig last Friday. While it's common for people to complain about the sea of smartphones recording such events, it was the man next to her who spent the entire show filming the artist close up that unsettled her: 'The inference is that women only exist here to be surveilled.' Aamna Humbling doesn't really cover the ludicrous notion that I can claim to be a member of the same profession as war correspondents. With a record number killed last year, here are four remarkable accounts of how and why they do it. Archie The Black Lives Matter protests were meant to lead to change in the British TV industry, but Black creatives tell the Guardian's Lanre Bakare that they're 'fighting over scraps' because of a lack of opportunities, with conditions worse now than in 2020. Aamna In 2014, Vladimir Putin asked Mustafa Dzhemilev, a Crimean Tatar leader, for support for Russia's annexation of the Ukrainian region. But Dzhemilev turned him down, and has lived in exile in Kyiv ever since. Shaun Walker's interview is a fascinating prism on the grim bartering over Ukraine's future. Archie Football | Mary Earps (pictured above) has shocked her England teammates by retiring from international football with immediate effect. The 32-year-old goalkeeper's decision comes 36 days before England defend their European Championship title in Switzerland. Tennis | Jack Draper and Cameron Norrie led the way on another impressive day for British tennis on the clay courts of Paris as its two most successful active male players moved into the second round of the French Open. Cycling | Primoz Roglic has abandoned the Giro d'Italia after suffering another crash in treacherous conditions during a rain-hit stage 16 on Tuesday. The 2023 winner was caught in an accident on a downhill section alongside Richard Carapaz, who did manage to rejoin the race. 'Ministers in standoff with Reeves over planned public services cuts' says the Guardian while the Telegraph has 'Cannabis should not be criminal, says Khan', meaning the London mayor. 'Police safety fears over jail plan' – that's the Times while the i paper has 'Farage policies would risk Truss mini-Budget style market chaos, economists warn'. Page one lead in the Financial Times is 'Rising fiscal tension forces Treasury shift into shorter-term borrowing'. For others, there is only one story to be leading with, and 'Parade suspect in drug drive arrest' in the Metro is the most muted treatment. 'Liverpool car attacker was 'high on drugs'' – that's the Express, and the Mail has the strapline 'Horror in Liverpool' followed by 'Parade driver 'high on drugs''. 'Liverpool parade horror … 'Driver on drugs'' is the Mirror's version. On trial for having an abortion Nicola Packer, with Guardian north of England correspondent, Hannah Al-Othman, describes her four-and-a-half-year ordeal after being prosecuted for having an abortion in the UK A bit of good news to remind you that the world's not all bad Friendships need effort to thrive, and reconnecting requires intentional actions. If distance has grown between you and a friend and you want to reconnect there are questions that you can ask as a starting point. Friendships change over time but understanding each other's needs can strengthen your bond, and creating space for honesty allows unresolved conflicts to surface. Showing curiosity about a friend's life, reflecting with them about how your friendship has changed, letting them know that you miss them; these are all ways to kickstart your relationships. A little effort can go a long way in revitalising a meaningful connection, you just need to have the right conversation. Sign up here for a weekly roundup of The Upside, sent to you every Sunday And finally, the Guardian's puzzles are here to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow. Quick crossword Cryptic crossword Wordiply
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Suspect followed ambulance before Liverpool parade car crash
A car which ploughed into a crowd during Liverpool FC's victory parade was able to tailgate an ambulance through a roadblock, police have confirmed. Water Street in the city centre was closed at the time of the incident but the roadblock was temporarily lifted so paramedics could get through to somebody who had reportedly had a heart attack. A 53-year-old man, from the West Derby area of the city, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drugs.A total of 50 people were treated in hospital following the incident, which happened shortly after 18:00 BST on Monday. Eleven of the injured remain in hospital with all casualties said to be in a "stable" Police Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said: "It is believed the driver of the Ford Galaxy car involved in this incident was able to follow an ambulance onto Water Street after the roadblock was temporarily lifted so that the ambulance crew could attend to a member of the public who was having a suspected heart attack."As with many large events, with event organisers we planned for all contingencies and this included the implementation of road closures to protect pedestrians and an armed policing presence was also in place throughout the day."There was no intelligence to suggest an incident of this nature would take place, and as we previously stated, the incident is not being treated as terrorism."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."Water Street remains closed while investigations continue into the incident. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Man arrested after car ploughed into Liverpool parade crowd is being quizzed on suspicion of attempted murder and drug-driving after 65 people were injured and four seriously hurt including a child
The car which ploughed into a crowd during Liverpool's victory parade followed an ambulance after a road block was temporarily lifted so paramedics could help a man who suffered a suspected heart attack, Merseyside Police said today. The force are facing questions about how a people carrier was able to access Water Street, a packed road in the city centre, before ramming into a huge crowd at around 6pm on Bank Holiday Monday, leaving more than 50 injured. The city's metro mayor Steve Rotheram said the Ford Focus should not have been on the road and the 'big question' was how the outrage happened. Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said the vehicle had managed to enter Water Street - which had been closed to traffic - by driving behind an ambulance that was responding to a suspected heart attack. She said 50 people were admitted to hospital, of which 11 are still being treated. All are in a stable condition. Police said the 53-year-old white British man who had been arrested after the incident faces charges of attempted murder, dangerous driving offences and driving while unfit through drugs. They said he was from West Derby on Merseyside. As police continue to question the driver, this is how the horrific incident unfolded - Up to 1 million fans had lined the streets to celebrate Liverpool's title victory; Parade began at Allerton Maze south of the city before ending on the Strand; Chaos erupted on Water Street, about a mile before the parade's endpoint; The bus had only recently passed the attendees when a vehicle rammed crowds; A 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area arrested, police said; Twenty-seven people taken to hospital; further 20 were treated at the scene; Four people trapped under the car, including a child, rescued by firefighters; Police said the horrific incident was not being treated as terrorism; Princess Anne paid a surprise visit to the Royal University Hospital Up to one million Liverpool fans had gathered to celebrate the club winning the Premier League title with a 10-mile trophy parade through the city centre. But the celebration turned to carnage at around 6pm when a row broke out between the driver and spectators. Footage on social media appears to show a man banging on the window after the driver backed into the crowd surrounding the vehicle. Another man then approaches the car and kicks the rear windscreen, prompting the driver to reverse back into him. Tensions mount as the car moves back and forth, with at least two spectators punching and kicking the vehicle. The man who was reversed into then appears to smash the rear windscreen after chasing the vehicle and launching a missile. Separate video, taken at the same time, shows another fan opening the car door, before the driver pulls it shut and accelerates down Dale Street. Later footage shows the Ford Focus trying to drive into the crowd on the connecting Water Street. Several people are seen striking the car as it moves past an ambulance and ploughs through the crowd, knocking over multiple people in its path. As the crowd evade the car, it swerves through the street, hitting more people before it eventually comes to a halt and is surrounded by fans and police. At least 47 members of the crowd were injured, with 20 treated at the scene and 27 hospitalised. Mr Rotheram confirmed this morning there are 'still four people who are very, very ill in hospital' - including one child. Jack Trotter, one of the victims who was rushed to hospital, said he remains in 'agony' after being discharged and described it as 'the most horrifying incident I've ever experienced in my life'. In what has been described as an 'unprecedented' move, Merseyside Police quickly confirmed a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area was arrested, adding that it wasn't being treated as terrorism. The force was criticised in the wake of the Southport murders last summer for not releasing information about the killer's ethnicity and religion after false rumours were started online that he was a Muslim asylum seeker. But police in charge of planning the trophy parade were today facing serious questions over how a driver was able to access Water Street. Ross Welsh, who had to jump out of the way of the oncoming vehicle, said cars on Water Street were able to pass further up the road, but the driver 'navigated' past the 'road closed' sign. Mr Welsh, who had travelled to the parade from Belfast, told BBC Radio Ulster's The Nolan Show: 'Then there it was beeping and it screeched its tyres to brake. We had to jump to get out of the way. It wasn't very, very close, but it was close enough that we felt we had to get out of the way quick.' It is understood that Water Street was closed to traffic as part of a rolling road block as the parade reached the city centre. Referring to how the driver 'tailgated' an ambulance down Water Street, a source told the Mail: 'It looks as if he has panicked when he realised he was in the crowd and people began banging on his car. Charlotte Hennessy, whose father died in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, said questions need to be asked about how the driver was able to access a 'road which should have been closed'. The parade bus had passed along The Strand, the main road along the famous waterfront which was closed to traffic, just moments earlier. But Water Street, which runs off it, was packed with people walking into the city to catch trains, buses and taxis home. Police in forensic white suits were seen taking photographs of the area and collecting items Later footage seemingly showed that, by the time the car reached the end of Dale Street and entered Water Street, its back window had been smashed. The driver then appeared to plough into the crowds. Further CCTV that emerged this afternoon shows police officers trying in vain to stop the car as it drove through the crowd. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer this morning said the whole country 'stands with Liverpool', describing the incident as 'scenes of joy turned to utter horror and devastation'. The royals also released statements on Tuesday afternoon. The King said he was 'deeply shocked and saddened' by the crash during Liverpool's Premier League title parade, adding: ' I know that the strength of community spirit for which your city is renowned will be a comfort and support to those in need.' The Prince and Princess of Wales have said they are 'deeply saddened' by the Liverpool parade crash, adding: 'What should have been a joyful celebration ended with tragedy.' Meanwhile, Princess Anne paid a surprise visit to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital to speak to medics and first responders who treated those injured in the parade carnage. The royal, 74, was in the city for another event and changed her plans so she could visit staff. A number of those wounded in the incident on Monday night were taken to the hospital, the largest in the city. Merseyside Police stressed the event is being treated as an isolated incident, and police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the crash Liverpool Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram speaks to members of the media near the scene in the aftermath of the incident Liverpool parade road closures Ahead of the parade, Liverpool City Council said: 'The Strand will be closed northbound from the Upper Parliament Street/Great George Street junction to Leeds Street/Great Howard Street junction from 04.00 – 22.00, or until it is safe to re-open. 'The southbound lane will be closed from approx. 12.00 – 20.00, again subject to crowd safety requirements. 'Additionally, Leeds Street City bound will be closed from 12.00 until approx. 20.00.' There was no mention of Water Street being closed, where the horror unfolded. But Liverpool Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said it was meant to be 'blocked off'. Mr Rotheram said the 'big question' was how the horror unfolded. 'Water Street was not a route where vehicles were supposed to be using it, it was blocked off,' he said. 'At this end of it, which is the direction that it was coming in, towards The Strand, there were literally hundreds of thousands of people here, so no vehicle would have got through anyway. 'And the questions, I suppose, are legitimate, but we have to give the police the time to conclude their investigations, which is what they're doing.' Security expert Lee Doddridge told Sky News this morning that police had used 'totally the wrong tactic'. He said: 'The immediate thought for me was how was a vehicle allowed to be among so many people? 'I've got to say it is just alarming that a vehicle was allowed to be so close... a vehicle should not have been allowed anywhere near those celebrations.' Mr Doddridge added: 'One of the images shown last night were police snipers on rooftops as if they were covering the crowd. Totally the wrong tactic. If they had focused more on preventing vehicles getting in they could have prevented this incident. 'I say could have prevent it because that's exactly what you do when you do it correctly. I do think it places a massive liability on Merseyside Police for not getting this right.' The former counter-terrorism security adviser said police will be 'very aware of these types of incidents' and the 'tactics' used. He explained that since 2004, police have had the power to implement an 'anti-terrorism traffic regulation order' (ATRO) 'so they can make plans and actually legally close roads so no members of the public can drive through there'. Mr Doddridge said they can also use the National Barrier Asset, which was used extensively during the Olympics. 'The Counter Terrorism Security Adviser (CTSA) can make an application on behalf of Merseyside Police and rent the National Barrier Asset which would be deployed around those strategic areas within Liverpool to prevent vehicles coming in,' he said. The King and the Prince and Princess of Wales released statements on Tuesday, while Princess Anne visited first responders at a Liverpool hospital Mr Doddridge said there should have been better 'contingency planning' in place - noting this isn't the first time a trophy parade has been held after a Premier League title win. 'They could have been planning for this, watching throughout the season, have plans in place. Once they realise it's there's, they can bring that ATRO in and make sure that entire area for that parade is completely safe with only access to emergency service vehicles. 'If they had applied an ATRO the only thing they would have prevented was cars and larger vehicles getting in.' MailOnline has contacted Merseyside Police for comment. Witness Chelsea Yeun said she was inches away from being struck by the car - and was shocked Water Street was not closed. She said after the parade had finished they had all decided to come off the route on The Strand and walk up the city in an attempt to get home. Chelsea and her friend Francesca went onto Water Street, usually a one-way street, where there was a 'sea of people'. She assumed the council had closed the roads off to allow people to have walking access as the street was just 'jam packed and you couldn't move'. 'We were walking at such a slow pace and when we were walking there wasn't much room around anywhere,' she told Good Morning Britain. She didn't see the car come plummeting towards her and only managed to jump out of the way as she heard a beeping noise and shouts coming from the crowd. Asked if she had the impression that the street had been closed down, she said: 'Yes, obviously it is a main city street and Water Street is a very busy street. I feel like just by the sheer amount of people that we assumed it was closed off, and it should have been closed off. 'As we walked further up, there were railings that were scattered on the floor. I don't know whether those railings were to have the crowds separated or to stop cars coming down. 'It's common sense that there should have been no cars in the immediate city area. But looking at the footage I've seen, after the event on Dale Street there were cars coming up and down. 'The roads absolutely should have been cornered off just for pedestrians with such a big thing coming to the city.' Another woman, Hannah, told BBC Radio 5 Live: 'The roads are closed, how did a car get down there anyway? You see people lying on the floor, all I can remember is just the police going 'everyone go now, now, leave', they ushered us all off and they were screaming.' She said she could hear shouting and then saw people lying on the floor, adding: 'It was just too many people, you couldn't actually see what had happened. 'All you could hear was like shouting, shouting, and I just knew something had happened. The parade was due to leave Allerton Road to travel along Queens Drive at 230pm. The route was along Queens Drive, Mill Bank, West Derby Road, Rocky Lane, West Derby Road, Low Hill, Islington, Hunter Street, Byrom Street, Leeds Street, The Strand and was due to finish at Wapping at 6pm. Police had warned ahead of the parade that there would be a 'rolling road closure'. But they said fixed closures would be in place on The Strand (northbound at 7am, southbound at 12pm), Queens Drive, between The Rocket and Prescot Road (12pm), Queens Drive at Allerton Road (12pm), Mill Bank (1pm) and West Derby Road, between Sheil Road and Everton Road (1pm). There was no mention of Water Street being closed. Ahead of the parade, Merseyside Police said: 'Road closures will be in place to allow the parade to take place safely and the public is advised to either view the parade as close to home as possible, walk or take advantage of public transport. 'Supporters are also being advised to line the whole route to avoid crowding in busy areas.' Chief Inspector Chris Barnes, silver commander for the parade, had said there would be a 'large number of police officers on the streets along the whole parade route who will be providing a reassuring presence and making sure fans can enjoy the parade safely.' He said road closures would be put in place by Liverpool City Council. Water Street was not mentioned as a street that would be closed on the council's website. A key question is how a car managed to get near a parade involving up to a million people given previous incidents of vehicles being driven into crowds. In 2016, Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel used a lorry to plough through a crowd in Nice during Bastille Day celebrations on July 14. 86 people were killed and more than 400 injured before the 31-year-old Tunisian was shot dead by police. The following year, vehicles were used in two attacks by terrorists in central London. On March 22 2017, Khalid Masood, a 52-year-old Brit, killed four people and injured more than 50 when he drove into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge and Bridge Street. He was also shot dead by an armed police officer. Then just months later, eight people were killed and 48 injured when a van rammed into pedestrians on London Bridge. The three men in the van, Khuram Butt, 27, Rachid Redouane, 30, and Youssef Zaghba, 22, were all shot dead. In two further incidents, 10 people were killed by a van driver in Toronto, Canada, in 2018, while in June 2022, a 59-year-old woman was left with life-changing injuries after driver Luke Geard ploughed into her in Axminster, Devon. In Liverpool, authorities have confirmed the incident is not being treated as terrorism and that the man in custody, a white British male from Liverpool, is believed to have been the driver of the vehicle. Witnesses reported the car was travelling at 30mph and had been sounding its horn as it edged through the dense crowd - prompting angry fans to ask 'what are you doing?' before it suddenly accelerated, swerved, and mounted the pavement. They described how 'all hell broke' loose and people 'were flying in all directions' as car ploughed into the tightly packed crowd for 200 yards. Video circulating online showed the people carrier moving slowly along the crowded street. Pedestrians appeared to stop it and try and pull the driver from the passenger seat, shouting 'what are you doing?' It reversed before suddenly accelerated into the tightly packed crowd of supporters, with witnesses describing the screams of victims and the sickening thud of bodies being flung over the bonnet. The vehicle accelerated veering right then left, travelling across the street mounting the pavement, hitting men, women and even a baby, witnesses said. When the car eventually slowed to a stop, angry fans surged forward hitting it, throwing bottles, screaming 'kill him' as others attempted to lift the vehicle to rescue pedestrians trapped under the wheels. Within seconds, the driver was dragged from his seat before police intervened. The shocking incident took place only days after a run in one of the city's parks to commemorate the lives of the Liverpool fans who died in the Hillsborough disaster in 1989. Ninety-seven football fans were fatally injured in a terrace crush at an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on 15 April 1989. A source told the Mail that the driver appeared to have 'tailgated' an ambulance down Water Street, which had been closed to traffic. 'It looks as if he has panicked when he realised he was in the crowd and people began banging on his car,' the insider said. 'Instead of going back the way he came he's got angry and put his foot down, it's absolutely devastating.' Mark Leavy told the Mail: 'I will never forget the noise of the people being hit and I will never forget the look on a policeman's face and his uniform covered in blood. 'My God, what he must have seen.' Patrick Milligan, 25, from Wigan said: 'We all had the best day of our lives watching the parade and then it was like a tsunami within about 5 minutes of the parade finishing. It was horrific. 'The car just swerved into the crowd at speed and everyone was screaming.' One victim, Jack Trotter, told the BBC from his hospital bed that he was in 'absolute agony' after he was struck by the car. Mr Trotter, from Newtownards, County Down, had come to the parade from Northern Ireland with his girlfriend, Abbie Gallagher, who narrowly avoided being struck as well. After being discharged from hospital today, he wrote on Instagram: 'Only back from hospital after the most horrifying incident I've ever experienced in my life... genuinely seriously lucky to still be here after this as I just moved out of the way in time.'
