A 36-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a car struck several pedestrians in Derby city centre on Saturday evening, leaving seven people with serious but not life-threatening injuries.
Derbyshire Police said the incident occurred on Friar Gate, one of Derby's busiest streets, at around 9.30pm. Officers apprehended the suspect in Station Approach, on the other side of the city centre, seven minutes after the incident, following reports from eyewitnesses about the vehicle's whereabouts.
Chief Superintendent Emma Aldred said: 'While none of those injured in the incident have suffered life-threatening physical injuries, the impact on them, I am sure, is just beginning to be felt.' She added that detectives are working alongside counter-terrorism officers but are keeping an open mind about motives and have not yet designated the incident as a terror attack.
The driver of a black Suzuki Swift was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, causing serious injury through dangerous driving, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, and dangerous driving. He is described as a Derby man originally from India who has lived in the UK for several years.
Victims were treated at the scene by ambulance crews before being taken to Royal Derby Hospital and Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham. The police cordon was lifted on Sunday afternoon, but businesses on the street, including bars and restaurants, remained closed.
Witnesses described seeing people lying in the road and debris scattered across the street. One local resident, Mark Lucas, said: 'I realised it was a big incident – people were over the floor and there were a lot of police and ambulances.' Derby North MP Catherine Atkinson said she was 'deeply shocked' by the incident, while Derby South MP Baggy Shanker expressed solidarity with those affected.
