A car ploughed into a crowd celebrating Liverpool FC’s Premier League title during a victory parade in Liverpool city centre, injuring 47 people, including four children. Merseyside Police arrested a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area, believed to be the driver, and have ruled out terrorism as a motive.
The collision occurred on Water Street around 6:00 PM BST, shortly after the parade’s open-top bus carrying Liverpool players passed by. Emergency services responded swiftly, with 27 people hospitalised, including one child and one adult with serious injuries. Twenty others received treatment at the scene.
🚨 GRAPHIC WARNING
A car has ploughed into Liverpool’s Premier League Parade this evening, injuring many. pic.twitter.com/FSoRY1ONmj
— Sydney Jones 🇬🇧 (POB) 🟣 (@JournoJones05) May 26, 2025Firefighters freed four individuals, including a child, trapped under the vehicle. Unverified social media footage showed the car, described as a grey people carrier, striking pedestrians before stopping, with angry fans attempting to smash its windows.
Tragedy has struck the Liverpool parade as someone drove into the fans injuring many!!
A 53 year old was arrested although it's not clear they are the driver
No matter your team tonight please send your prayers & wishes to the people of Liverpool 🙏#YNWA #LiverpoolFC pic.twitter.com/qGnBJWEDXd
— BabaIjebu (@playbabaijebu) May 26, 2025Merseyside Police, led by Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims, called the incident “horrific” but isolated, urging the public not to speculate or share distressing videos online. “Extensive inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances,” Sims said, emphasising that a robust traffic management plan was in place.
We are in direct contact with Merseyside Police regarding the incident on Water Street which happened towards the end of the trophy parade earlier this evening.
Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this serious incident.
We will continue to offer… pic.twitter.com/xreiSqiEnL
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 26, 2025Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the scenes as “appalling,” thanking emergency services for their rapid response. Liverpool FC expressed support: “Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this serious incident.” Rival clubs, including Everton, Manchester United, and Chelsea, offered solidarity.
Eyewitnesses recounted chaos. Harry Rashid, 48, saw the car ram into fans 10 feet away, describing “pop, pop, pop” sounds as people were struck. Another witness, Chelsea, noted screams alerted her to jump aside.
Security analyst Dr. Emma Taylor from the University of Liverpool notes, “Such incidents highlight the challenges of crowd safety at large events. The police’s quick clarification against terrorism speculation helps curb misinformation.”
Merseyside Police are investigating the driver’s motive, supported by the North West Counter-Terrorism Unit as a precaution.
