Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed his shock and solidarity following a car collision that injured multiple people during Liverpool's Premier League title victory parade on Sunday. In a statement, Starmer said: 'The scenes in Liverpool are appalling, my thoughts are with all those injured or affected.' He added that the 'whole country stands with Liverpool' and thanked emergency services for their swift response.
The incident occurred on Water Street in Liverpool city centre at around 6pm as the parade was drawing to a close. A car ploughed into a crowd of pedestrians, leaving dozens injured. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service arrived within four minutes and lifted the vehicle to free four people trapped underneath, including one child.
Dave Kitchen of the North West Ambulance Service confirmed that 27 people were taken to hospital, with two sustaining serious injuries, including a child. Twenty others were treated for minor injuries. Kitchen described the event as 'appalling' and expressed frustration that a day of celebration ended in tragedy.
Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Simms of Merseyside Police stated that a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area has been arrested on suspicion of causing the collision. She emphasised that the incident is believed to be isolated and urged the public not to speculate or spread misinformation on social media.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper called the incident 'shocking and horrendous' and thanked emergency services. Liverpool City Council leader Liam Robinson said the event cast a 'dark shadow' over what had been a joyous day. The investigation is ongoing.
