A joyous celebration turned chaotic in Liverpool on Monday (local time) as a car rammed into crowds of fans gathered to celebrate the city’s Premier League title victory, leaving several injured. A 53-year-old local man has been arrested in connection with the incident, Merseyside Police confirmed.The collision occurred around 6:00 pm (1700 GMT) near Water Street, moments after the Liverpool team’s open-top bus had passed the area. An AFP journalist at the scene reported seeing at least four individuals taken away on stretchers. The exact number of injured or the severity of their injuries remains unclear.“It was extremely fast,” said Harry Rashid, 48, from Solihull, who was at the parade with his family. “Initially we just heard the pop, pop, pop of people just being knocked off the bonnet of the car. It was horrible and you could hear the bumps as he was going over the people.”Eyewitness Mike Maddra added, “The car turned left, mounted the pavement, came towards us and ran towards the buildings. We got out the way and it was speeding up.”The incident unfolded as tens of thousands of fans braved torrential rain for the long-awaited title celebration, with red smoke flares, fireworks, and cheers lighting up the 10-mile victory route. The team, led by Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, was parading the club’s record-equalling 20th league title on a national holiday.Emergency services rushed to the scene, and cordons were quickly established. North West Ambulance Service said its crews were assessing the situation alongside other responders.Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the incident “appalling.” He posted on X, “My thoughts are with all those injured or affected,” and confirmed he was receiving updates on the investigation.BBC journalist Matt Cole, who was also at the parade, said, “There were screams ahead of us and suddenly this dark blue car just came through the crowd. It just wasn’t stopping. I managed to grab my daughter who was with me and jump out of the way… The car missed myself and my family by literally inches.”Videos circulating on social media showed fans surrounding the car after it stopped, some smashing its back windows while police tried to contain the situation. Police urged the public not to speculate and confirmed the suspect was a white British man from the Liverpool area.Liverpool FC issued a statement on X, saying the club was “working with Merseyside police,” and that their “thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this serious incident.” Liverpool metro mayor Steve Rotheram called it “a difficult day for our city region, but we stand together.”Everton, the city’s other Premier League club, also extended support, saying, “Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by this serious incident in our city.”This was Liverpool’s first public celebration of a Premier League title in 35 years. While the club ended a three-decade league drought in 2020 under Jurgen Klopp, COVID-19 restrictions prevented a parade at that time.Despite the celebrations, the day also revived sombre memories of past tragedies linked to the club. In 1989, 97 fans were killed in a crush at Hillsborough stadium in what remains Britain’s worst sporting disaster. In 1985, 39 people died at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels before the European Cup final against Juventus.
