Water Street remains a crime scene littered with debris and abandoned belongings – as police investigate how a car managed to speed along a closed-off street and injure almost 50 people
The Mirror’s Lucy Thornton shares latest from the scene of Liverpool parade incident
Debris lies strewn across Liverpool city centre this morning in the aftermath of a shocking incident that saw a car plough into a packed crowd of football fans, injuring 47 people.
Water Street remains a crime scene today, with police scouring the area for evidence to help piece together how a vehicle managed to race through a closed-off street during Liverpool FC’s trophy parade on Monday evening. Fire crews and ambulances last night freed three adults and one child who became trapped underneath the vehicle, as horrified witnesses captured the shocking moment it slammed into a celebrating crowds, knocking dozens of people to the ground. A total of 20 people were treated for injuries at the scene, while a further 27 were taken to hospital. North West Ambulance Service confirmed two people have been seriously injured, one of whom is a child.
Police are now standing guard outside a number of tents this morning, one covering the vehicle that injured dozens of revellers. A huge cordon extends right down onto Dale Street, with the area now littered with debirs, abandoned belongings, and broken glass from the collision.
A police horse box has been parked in front of a large forensic tent holding the car – believed to be a large Ford people carrier – to keep the crime scene protected. Broken champagne glasses, flattened beer cans and Liverpool flags are lining the streets as grim reminders of a celebration gone horribly wrong.
Just moments earlier, up to 1 million Liverpool fans had flocked to the area to celebrate the team as they moved through the city centre with the Premier League trophy on an open-top bus. Some 27 people were taken to hospital after the crash, and two suffered serious injuries, including a child.
A 53-year-old white British man was arrested in relation to the incident and remains in custody, Merseyside Police said. A spokesperson said: “We would ask people not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding tonight’s incident on Water Street in Liverpool city centre.
“We can confirm the man arrested is a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area. Extensive enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances leading up to the collision.” The force added that the incident is not being treated as terrorism.
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer labelled the scene as “appalling”, adding: “My thoughts are with all those injured or affected.”
He later said: “Tonight, I have spoken to Steve Rotheram about the terrible events in Liverpool and the remarkable bravery shown by the police and other emergency services.
“They are supporting and caring for those injured in these terrible events. Everyone, especially children, should be able to celebrate their heroes without this horror. The city has a long and proud history of coming together through difficult times. Liverpool stands together and the whole country stands with Liverpool.”