Liverpool FC parade: How the crash unfolded
A white British man has been arrested and dozens of people were injured after a car ploughed into crowds during Liverpool FC's Premier League victory parade on Monday.
Tuesday 27 May 2025 10:36, UK
Around one million Liverpool FC supporters were estimated to have lined the streets of the city on Monday to celebrate the club's historic 20th top-flight title.
However, what was meant to be a day of celebration descended into a day of horror as a car ploughed into crowds - with four children among the dozens of people injured.
As the city remains in shock and people await updates on some of those treated in hospital, we take a look at how the disaster during the football club's Premier League victory parade unfolded.
Parade begins
Huge crowds started gathering in the city on Monday afternoon before the Liverpool title-winning squad set off in an open-top bus at around 2.30pm.
The bus began its journey at Allerton Maze in the south of the city - embarking on a 10-mile route over three-and-a-half hours that would end on the Strand.
Car ploughs into crowds
At around 5.40pm the team's open-top bus passed Water Street in Liverpool city centre as the celebrations continued into the evening.
However, 20 minutes later, a car was seen ramming into crowds on Water Street as people attempted to move out of the way.
Follow latest: Liverpool parade crash live updates
It is believed the car followed an ambulance through traffic management systems that were in place to get to the junction of Water Street and Rumford Street, Merseyside Police said.
It is still unknown why the driver followed the ambulance, which had been called out to deal with a suspected heart attack.
The vehicle passed a Hooters restaurant at one point, with people knocked to the floor off the windshield, falling to the ground and darting out of the way to avoid being run over.
Separate footage showed crowds swarming around the car and hitting its windows as police rushed to respond to the collision.
Police release statement
Merseyside Police said at around 6.50pm that officers were "dealing with reports of a road traffic collision in Liverpool city centre".
The force said the car had been in a "collision with a number of pedestrians on Water Street".
Police said the vehicle stopped at the scene and a "male" had been "detained", adding: "Emergency services are currently on the scene."
North West Ambulance Service said it was "supporting an incident in Liverpool city centre" and added: "Our priority is to ensure people receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible."
PM updated on 'appalling scenes'
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said at about 7:30pm he was receiving updates about the collision.
In a statement shared on X, he also said: "The scenes in Liverpool are appalling - my thoughts are 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."
Police confirm arrest of 'white British man'
Shortly after 8pm, police said a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area was arrested at the scene in Water Street.
The force added: "Extensive enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances leading up to the collision.
"We would ask people not to share distressing content online but to send the footage or information directly to us @MerPolCC or pass on information by calling 101 quoting log 784."
At around the same time, Liverpool FC said it was in "direct contact" with police "regarding the incident on Water Street which happened towards the end of the trophy parade earlier this evening".
It added: "Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this serious incident."
Read more:
Eyewitnesses describe car driving into crowds
Liverpool collision: What we know so far
Families wait for updates on casualties
The North West Ambulance Service said at 9:24pm it had cleared the scene on Water Street.
The service said it would give an update on casualty numbers later that night.
Police not investigating case as terrorism
Shortly before 11pm, Merseyside Police Deputy Chief Constable Jenny Sims held a news briefing where she said the incident is "not currently being treated as terrorism".
She added: "What I can tell you is that we believe this to be an isolated incident, and we are not currently looking for anyone else in relation to it."
Nearly 50 injured - with child suffering serious injuries
At the same conference, Dave Kitchin, from North West Ambulance Service, said 27 people were taken to hospital by ambulance.
He added that two of those, including one child, had sustained serious injuries.
Four children in total had been injured in the collision - with two of them taken to hospital.
Mr Kitchin said 20 patients were treated at the scene for minor injuries and did not need hospital treatment.
Nick Searle, from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, said four people, including a child, became trapped under the car that hit pedestrians.
He said: "Our crews rapidly lifted the vehicle, removed three adults and one child from beneath and passed them to our ambulance service colleagues."
'We could just hear screams and screams'
Eyewitness accounts began to emerge throughout the evening as footage of the collision was shared widely on social media.
Natasha Rinaldi, who was watching the parade from her friend's living room, told Sky News: "It was so loud. People sounded desperate.
"And then we looked out the window and we saw the car (had) run over people.
"Then people started rushing to go after the driver and they tried to break the car. The police did everything to block and to push people away.
"We could just hear screams and screams. We were very confused.
"Some of my friends were down there and the car was so near them. It was a horrible scene, nobody was expecting it."
'Your Liverpool family are behind you'
Liverpool FC legend Kenny Dalglish, who played for the Reds and managed them twice, was among those to send messages of support after the crash.
Dalglish said: "Our anthem has never felt more appropriate, You'll Never Walk Alone... Your Liverpool family are behind you."
Another Liverpool legend, former striker Robbie Fowler, wrote on X: "Heartbreaking news... absolutely sickened with what's happened here in Liverpool."