Daniel Eveson, from Telford, Shropshire, thought he had “lost everything” after a car came into contact with him and his son’s buggy on Water Street amid the Liverpool title-winning parade
A dad thought he “lost everything” after his son’s buggy was dragged 15ft by a car as it ploughed through crowds during Liverpool’s Premier League parade.
Daniel Eveson endured the “worst day of his life” when a driver careered a Ford Galaxy into pedestrians who had gathered to celebrate the Reds’ second Premier League title. The jubilant atmosphere descended into chaos, during which Daniel’s young son Teddy was “chucked about 15ft down the road” in his pram. Daniel’s partner went under the wheel of the Ford Galaxy.
“To me looking and finding his pram. To not knowing if he was alive. To seeing him alive. It was a lot to take on… I thought I had lost everything, I really did,” the traumatised father, from Telford, Shropshire, said today.
Police confirmed the 53-year-old man arrested on Monday remains in custody, detained on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and drug driving. Merseyside Constabulary understand the man, a white British citizen from West Derby, Liverpool, was the driver of the vehicle.
Daniel’s partner was rushed to hospital, where she spent at least one night. Teddy survived the ordeal without any significant physical injuries, it is understood.
But Daniel told the BBC the ordeal will stick with him “for the rest of my life”. He added: “I don’t honestly believe I will be able to go to a parade or celebration like that ever again. Because there will always be that fear in the back of my mind that anything can happen and we might not be in control.”
His harrowing experience mirrors that of a young man, from Newtownards, County Down, who was struck by the car. Jack Trotter needed treatment in hospital and said today he feels he “is lucky to be a live”.
Around 50 people – including children – were hurt in total, the emergency services confirmed. As of Tuesday afternoon, 11 of these remained in hospital with various injuries.
Speaking on Tuesday, Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said the force believe the car which struck pedestrians was able to follow an ambulance crew attending to someone suffering a heart attack after a road block was temporarily lifted.
She added: “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 road block was temporarily lifted so that the ambulance crew could attend to a member of the public who was having a heart attack. There was no intelligence to suggest an incident of this nature would take place.”
The officer defended the policing operation during the parade, telling reporters that the force planned for “all contingencies” – including road closures and an armed police presence.