Merseyside Police this afternoon issued an update on the condition of all the victims of the Liverpool parade crash following last night’s incident in the city centre
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Police have shared an update on the condition of victims of last night’s incident in Liverpool while confirming a man remains in custody and is being questioned by officers. More than 50 people, including children, were treated in different hospitals after a car struck pedestrians on Water Street in the city centre during Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory parade.
This afternoon, Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said a total of 11 people remain in hospital for ongoing treatment and are in a stable condition. Speaking at a press conference, she said: “I have no doubt regarding the impact that this appalling incident has had on those who were injured, their family and friends, and for those who witnessed the incident unfolding in front of them.
“It is so heartening to hear that the public has also recognised the human impact on our attending officers, staff and other emergency service colleagues from North West Ambulance Service and Merseyside Fire and Rescue, and I want to personally thank the public for their support of first responders who were on scene in a matter of seconds.
“Following the incident yesterday, I can confirm on behalf of the National Health Service that we are aware of 50 people who were treated at hospital for ongoing treatment. Of those 11 remain in hospital for ongoing treatment. They are all in a stable condition, and I am pleased to say that they appear to be recovering well.”
She added: “I want to take the opportunity to pay tribute to the brave members of the emergency services who were on the scene of yesterday’s incident within a matter of seconds. Following such a shocking incident, they immediately ran towards an extremely uncertain and potentially dangerous situation in an effort to protect members of the public and fellow emergency responders from harm.
“Merseyside Police continues to work with other emergency services, Liverpool City Council, Liverpool City Combined Regional Authority, local hospitals and health providers and Liverpool Football Club collectively in response to this incident. 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.”
During the press conference, Detective Chief Superintendent Karen Jaundrill also confirmed a 53-year-old man from the West Derby area of Liverpool is in custody and being interviewed by police. The man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and drug driving.
Ms Sims said the force believes 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 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 road block was temporarily lifted so that the ambulance crew could attend to a member of the public who was having a heart attack.”
She added: “There was no intelligence to suggest an incident of this nature would take place.” Ms Sims defended the policing operation during the parade, telling reporters that the force planned for “all contingencies” – including road closures and an armed police presence.