A former soldier hailed as a hero for his actions during a terrifying attack at a Liverpool parade has spoken publicly for the first time about the incident.
The Moment of Intervention
Dan Barr, a 41-year-old from Birkenhead on the Wirral, described the decisive moment he helped bring Paul Doyle's violent rampage to an end. The incident saw Doyle, 54, deliberately plough his car into a crowd of football fans during a two-minute, anger-fuelled assault.
Barr, drawing on his military background, took direct action by climbing into the back seat of Doyle's moving vehicle. His quick thinking led him to reach for the gear stick and shift it into park, effectively stopping the car and preventing further potential carnage.
Modest Heroism and Legal Consequences
Despite being widely praised and labelled a "hero" for his brave intervention, Barr has remained remarkably modest. He stated that he does not consider his actions "anything special" and emphatically added that he would "do it again" if faced with a similar situation.
The judicial outcome for the attacker was severe. Paul Doyle was sentenced to 21 years and six months in prison for his crimes. The court heard how his deliberate actions resulted in injuries to 134 football fans during the shocking parade incident.
A Community's Gratitude
The events of that day, which took place on Tuesday 16 December 2025, left a deep mark on the city of Liverpool and its community. While the focus was rightly on the victims and the perpetrator's sentencing, the courage of individuals like Dan Barr provided a stark counterpoint to the day's violence.
His selfless act, performed without regard for his own safety, is seen as a key factor in limiting the scale of the tragedy. The story underscores how ordinary people can perform extraordinary acts of bravery in moments of crisis.
