What began as a jubilant celebration of Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory descended into chaos on Monday evening, when a car collided with pedestrians in the heart of Liverpool city centre during the club’s open-top bus parade. The incident occurred on Water Street just after 6pm, prompting an immediate and extensive response from emergency services.
Merseyside Police confirmed that the vehicle involved was stopped at the scene and a man was detained in connection with the collision. Authorities have not released details about the suspect or a possible motive, but eyewitness accounts suggest the act may have been deliberate.
Footage captured from the scene showed police cordons erected along Water Street, a road strewn with litter from the celebrations. A significant emergency services presence was visible, including multiple police vehicles, ambulances, and a fire engine.
Several injured individuals were treated on-site, and images showed at least one person being taken away on a stretcher. Another injured man was seen walking with his arm around a police officer for support.
The shocking event occurred as tens of thousands of fans packed the streets to cheer on their team during a 10-mile route that wove through the city. Witnesses described the terrifying moment the grey people carrier came barreling through the crowd.
Harry Rashid, 48, from Solihull, was among the onlookers at the parade, attending with his wife and two young daughters. He recounted the horrific moment the car struck nearby fans.
“It happened about 10 feet away from us,” Rashid said. “We were just in a crowd and had no control over where we’d be, because it was such a narrow street. The vehicle came from our right, just beside an ambulance, and then it just rammed into all the people at the side of us.”
According to Rashid, the car initially slowed down after the first impact but then accelerated again, striking more pedestrians. “It was extremely fast. Initially, we just heard the pop, pop, pop of people being knocked off the bonnet,” he said. “Then he stalled for a few seconds, and the crowd began trying to smash his windows. But he just put his foot down again and kept ploughing through. It was horrible. You could hear the bumps as he was going over people.”
The scene quickly turned chaotic, with screams ringing out and victims lying motionless on the ground. Rashid’s daughter began screaming in terror as he tried to shield his family. “It looked clearly deliberate. They were just innocent people, fans enjoying the parade. There were hundreds and thousands of us there.”
Emergency services were quick to respond. Rashid noted that an ambulance was already parked at the site of the incident, allowing paramedics to begin rendering aid almost immediately. Additional medical personnel arrived within moments.
Despite the swift response, the sheer density of the crowd made it difficult for responders to navigate. “They were all trying to get to the injured, but there were just so many people,” Rashid explained. “I just wanted my kids off the road—I couldn’t trust whether there might be a follow-up attack. You feel completely exposed in that moment.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper have been briefed on the unfolding situation, according to reports from the PA news agency.
A spokesperson for the North West Ambulance Service said: “NWAS is supporting an incident in Liverpool city centre following reports of a road traffic collision. We are currently assessing the situation and working with other members of the emergency services. Our priority is to ensure people receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible.”
As authorities continue their investigation, the Liverpool community—still reeling from the shock—awaits further updates on the condition of the injured and the motives behind the terrifying attack that marred an otherwise historic day.
