Four people remain critically injured in hospital after a car drove into a crowd of Liverpool fans during the club’s Premier League title parade on Monday.
Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram confirmed the update on Tuesday, saying, “We are hoping, of course, that they pull through.”
British police believe the incident, which occurred in Liverpool’s city centre, was an isolated one and not related to terrorism. They have not yet confirmed the motive or explained how the vehicle accessed a pedestrian-only area where celebrations were underway.
Videos posted on social media showed a grey people-carrier driving through a densely packed street, striking several people and dragging at least four beneath it. As the vehicle came to a stop, fans surrounded it, smashing the windows while police officers intervened to protect the driver.
Authorities reported that 20 people were treated at the scene, and 27 others, including children, were taken to hospital for further treatment.
Officials estimated that around one million people had turned out along the 10-mile parade route to celebrate Liverpool’s league title win, which comes after a previous victory during the COVID-19 pandemic, when public celebrations were restricted.
Police said the incident occurred as the parade was winding down. A Reuters photographer on the scene captured emergency responders carrying victims to ambulances, both on stretchers and in their arms.
Rotheram explained why police were quick to release information about the arrested suspect, stating, “That was one of my first concerns, that we needed to get the story out quickly. 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 man arrested was identified by police as a “53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area”. The early release of his identity was intended to prevent unfounded speculation, particularly on social media, that could worsen public reaction. This approach came in light of a similar incident last year in Southport, where misinformation online led to rioting following the murder of three young girls.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed gratitude to emergency services and shared his sympathies.
“Everyone, especially children, should be able to celebrate their heroes without this horror,” he said.
Investigations are ongoing as police work to determine how the incident occurred and what led to the vehicle being in a restricted area during the event.
