Overview of the Incident
On Monday, a vehicle plowed into a crowd during Liverpool FC’s Premier League title parade in Liverpool, England, resulting in 27 people being hospitalized. Among those admitted were two individuals with severe injuries, including a child. Emergency services also treated around twenty people at the scene.
Victims and Response
The victims include four children, one of whom suffered severe injuries. Despite heavy rainfall, hundreds of thousands gathered in the city streets to celebrate Liverpool FC’s Premier League title after their final match on Sunday. The collision occurred near 6 PM local time as the parade was concluding.
The driver, a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool region, was apprehended by police. Chief Jenny Sims of Merseyside Police urged against speculation and misinformation on social media, clarifying that no other individuals are being sought in connection with the incident.
Witness Accounts and Police Response
Keir Starmer, the UK Prime Minister, expressed his distress following the collision. He wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “The scenes in Liverpool are horrific — my thoughts are with the injured or affected.” He acknowledged the swift response from emergency services.
A witness, quoted by the British agency PA, reported seeing “people lying on the ground, unconscious.” Harry Rashid, 48, who attended the parade with his family, described the vehicle as traveling “extremely fast” before hitting the crowd.
Photographs after the accident showed police cordons along the road, with numerous ambulances and a fire truck present at the scene. Another witness told Sky News (via PA) that it was “very chaotic,” with people panicking and attempting to stop the driver. Police worked to block and disperse the crowd.
Four Hours of Celebration
Egyptian player Mohamed Salah and Dutch player Virgil van Dijk led the celebrations alongside other Liverpool FC players in an open-top bus parade that took place just before the collision.
The fourteen-kilometer route took approximately four hours to complete. Liverpool FC secured its twentieth English league title nearly a month prior, with only four matches remaining. The trophy was officially presented on Sunday following a 1-1 draw at Anfield against Crystal Palace.
In a statement, Liverpool FC expressed its solidarity with those affected by the collision:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this serious incident.”
The club’s celebratory parade marked the first time in 35 years that Liverpool fans could commemorate a Premier League title together, as there was no parade in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Liverpool’s football history has been marked by tragedy. In 1985, 39 fans, mostly Italians, died when a section of the Heysel Stadium in Brussels collapsed amidst clashes between Liverpool and Juventus supporters. In 1989, 97 Liverpool fans were crushed to death at a stadium in Sheffield during a match.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who was involved in the incident? A 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool region was arrested as the driver.
- How many people were hospitalized? 27 individuals, including four children and two with severe injuries, were admitted to hospitals.
- What was the purpose of the parade? The parade celebrated Liverpool FC’s Premier League title, secured nearly a month prior.
- How did the Prime Minister respond? Keir Starmer expressed his distress and acknowledged the swift response from emergency services.
- Why was this parade significant? It was the first time in 35 years that Liverpool fans could celebrate a Premier League title together due to COVID-19 restrictions in 2020.
