LONDON (CNN)— A jubilant celebration marking Liverpool Football Club’s Premier League victory turned into chaos Monday evening when a car plowed into a crowd of supporters in the city center, injuring dozens.
According to Merseyside Police, a 53-year-old man from the Liverpool area was arrested at the scene after the gray minivan he was driving collided with pedestrians along Water Street near the Liver Building. Authorities said the man acted alone and ruled out terrorism, calling it an “isolated incident.”
Twenty-seven people were taken to hospital, four of them in serious condition. Among the injured were four children. Fire and rescue officials confirmed that three adults and one child were trapped under the vehicle and had to be extricated.
“This was a terrible event that marred what should have been a celebration,” said Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram. He urged the public not to speculate about the motive, saying, “The police are the only people who have all of the information to hand – and they are the people we should trust.”
The parade, held on a public holiday, drew hundreds of thousands of fans who lined a 10-mile route to watch players ride atop an open bus waving to cheering crowds. As the event neared its end, video posted on social media captured scenes of horror: a vehicle suddenly accelerated through red-clad fans, knocking people down and sparking panic.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as “horrendous.” “This gray people carrier just rammed into all the people at the side of us… you could hear the bumps as he was going over people,” said Harry Rashid, who had attended the parade with his family. “I saw people lying on the ground, people unconscious.”
Some in the crowd attempted to confront the driver. Video footage shows people punching and kicking the stopped car before it reversed and drove off again, eventually coming to a halt.
Another witness, Matthew O’Carroll, said the driver was beeping his horn as he drove into the packed street. “He passed a police van at a decent speed and just kept going into the crowd.”
Paramedics and emergency personnel responded rapidly. According to Chief Fire Officer Nick Searle, 20 people were treated at the scene for minor injuries. Photos from the aftermath showed stretchers, police cordons, and littered streets, with a tent erected where the collision occurred.
Peter Jones, who traveled to attend the parade, recalled, “We heard frantic beeping, and a car flew past us. People chased it, windows were smashed, and he then drove into people. Police and medics rushed in. It was chaos.”
Merseyside Police confirmed they were contacted just after 6 p.m. local time with reports of a car hitting multiple pedestrians. A robust traffic management plan had been in place, officials said, but the incident unfolded rapidly.
Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims urged the public to avoid spreading speculation. “Extensive enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances,” she said.
The attack shocked the city and sporting world alike. Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, who was present at the parade, said he was “shocked and devastated.” He shared a message of support on Instagram, writing, “You’ll never walk alone” — a line from the club’s anthem.
While police continue to investigate, the incident has cast a pall over what was meant to be a joyous milestone: Liverpool’s 20th top-flight league title.
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