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A 53-year-old man has been taken into custody by Merseyside Police after a vehicle hit spectators during Liverpool Football Club’s Premier League victory parade. Authorities stated that the case is not being considered a terrorist act.
Emergency services attended a chaotic scene in Liverpool city centre after reports that a car had hit people on Water Street at about 6pm on Monday.
The police reported that the vehicle was halted at the scene. They apprehended the suspected driver, who is described as a white British man from the Liverpool region.
According to North West Ambulance Service, the incident resulted in injuries to at least 47 individuals, with 27 needing hospitalization. Among those, two sustained severe injuries, including one child.
Jenny Sims, Merseyside Police assistant chief constable, told a press conference: “We believe this to be an isolated incident and we are not currently looking for anyone else in relation to it. The incident is not being treated as terrorism.”
She said extensive inquiries were ongoing to establish the circumstances leading up to the collision, adding it was vital people did not speculate or spread misinformation on social media.
Hundreds of thousands of Liverpool FC fans had gathered in Liverpool on Monday to celebrate their club winning the Premier League, the top tier of English football.
An open top bus carrying the club’s players paraded through the city over a 10-mile route for several hours.
The collision between the car and pedestrians took place as the event drew to a close, and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said they found four people trapped beneath the vehicle, including one child.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer earlier described the scenes at the incident as “appalling” and said his thoughts were with “all those injured or affected”.
“I want to thank the police and emergency services for their swift and ongoing response to this shocking incident,” he added.
Liverpool FC said the club’s “thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this serious incident”.
Steve Rotheram, mayor of Liverpool city region, said: “Our hearts go out to all of those affected . . . This is a difficult day for our city region, but we stand together.”
