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A press conference at Merseyside Police’s headquarters shed light on the moments leading up to the incident on Water Street, Liverpool, and the subsequent police actions. The police confirmed earlier reports that a Ford Galaxy had tailgated an ambulance to access the closed-off street, which was restricted for a parade event. Eyewitnesses reported attempts by pedestrians to halt the vehicle, which subsequently accelerated and struck those walking along the street, resulting in a scene of devastation.
Merseyside Police said: “As with many large events, with event organisers we planned for all contingencies and this included the implementation of road closures to protect pedestrians and an armed policing presence was also in place throughout the day. There was no intelligence to suggest an incident of this nature would take place, and as we previously stated, the incident is not being treated as terrorism.”
The police confirmed the extent of injuries, revealing that 65 individuals were affected, with 50 receiving treatment at regional hospitals. As of Tuesday afternoon, 11 remained hospitalized, all in stable condition and showing signs of recovery. Further details emerged regarding the arrest of the 53-year-old driver from the West Derby area of Liverpool.
Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said: “The emergency services were outstanding, fantastic. The way in which the police were so quickly on the scene and the ambulance service kicked into gear was brilliant. That meant people in their hundreds and thousands were waiting for many hours to get transport. But it also meant that the people driving those trains and those buses and those running those transport services also had to work long and late and they did that voluntarily. People came in on their day off to do that. I would like to thank all of those staff for stepping forward. They were absolutely superb.”
Mayor Rotheram also highlighted the community’s resilience and willingness to assist during the crisis, noting the solidarity that has been a hallmark of Liverpool for decades. The new Archbishop of Liverpool, John Sherrington, used his Mass of Installation to offer prayers for those injured and the medical staff working tirelessly to save lives.
Archbishop John Sherrington said: “We pray for all those who have been injured and those working to save life in hospitals.”
The incident has underscored the importance of emergency preparedness and community solidarity in Liverpool, with the rapid response of services and the public’s support playing a crucial role in managing the aftermath.
