Police say they believe a driver of a car that ploughed into a crowd during Liverpool’s Premier League victory parade was able to follow an ambulance into a sealed-off part of the city before driving into dozens of people.
Authorities are facing questions over how the suspect made his way into the closed-off city centre before veering into pedestrians during the celebrations.
Giving an update on Tuesday on the investigation into the tragedy, Merseyside Police said it was their undeerstanding the driver followed an ambulance after a road block was temporarily lifted so paramedics could help a man who suffered a suspected heart attack.
At least 47 people, including four children, were injured when the Ford Galaxy appeared to accelerate into the fans on Water Street at around 6pm on Bank Holiday Monday, turning a day of joy in the city into one of horror.
Four people trapped under the grey people carrier, including a child, were rescued by firefighters.
Emergency services at the scene of the incident on Water Street
Owen Humphreys/PA Wire
A 53-year-old, who Merseyside Police described as white British man from the Liverpool area, was arrested at the scene, adding that it was not being treated as terrorism.
The city’s metro mayor Steve Rotheram on Tuesday said the “big question” was how the car ended up on the road despite being closed at the time.
The parade’s route stretched 10 miles from Allerton Maze to Liverpool City Centre and lasted around five hours.
As such a number of roads, including Water Street, were closed.
(PA Graphics)
PA Graphics
Sources told the Daily Mail there were bollards at the eastern end of the road, at the junction of Dale Street, but these were moved to allow an ambulance to pass through.
A witness described the suspect“tailgating” the emergency vehicle to access Water Street, while another witness said the car “navigated” past a “road closed” sign to travel towards The Strand.
It is understood the force are probing whether the motorist attempted to follow an ambulance that was moving through the spectators, the Press Association reported.
Speaking to reporters at the scene on Tuesday, Mr Rotheram said questions about how the car was able to enter Water Street were “legitimate”, as it was “blocked off” by officials.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region
PA
“At this end of it, which is the direction that it was coming in, towards The Strand, there were literally hundreds of thousands of people here, so no vehicle would have got through anyway,” he said.
“The questions, I suppose, are legitimate, but we have to give the police the time to conclude their investigations, which is what they’re doing.”
Permanent and temporary barriers and bollards are used commonly to protect the public on busy streets during large-scale events.
Mr Rotheram told BBC Radio 5 Live four people are still “very, very ill in hospital”, adding that he was hopeful that those seriously injured “pull through very, very quickly”.
Liverpool’s players celebrate with the Premier League trophy during the open-top bus victory parade
AFP via Getty Images
He told the broadcaster: “The actual incident in Water Street will live with those people for all the wrong reasons, and that’s where we have to really focus our minds.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he had spoken to Mr Rotheram about the incident, adding: “Everyone, especially children, should be able to celebrate their heroes without this horror.
“The city has a long and proud history of coming together through difficult times.
“Liverpool stands together and the whole country stands with Liverpool.”
The Princess Royal meets members of the North West Ambulance Service team
PA
In a statement, the couple, who are currently visiting Canada, said: “At this heartbreaking time for the people of Liverpool, I know that the strength of community spirit for which your city is renowned will be a comfort and support to those in need.
“Our prayers and deepest sympathy are with all those who have been affected, and my special gratitude goes out to the first responders, emergency services personnel and others individuals who rushed to the aid of the injured.”
The Princess Royal visited the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, where medical staff spoke of how they were “very, very fortunate” that there were no more injuries.
