Emergency services have praised those who rushed to help following the incident – which left 27 people including four children needing hospital treatment
Emergency services and members of the public have been praised for their heroic actions after a car drove into a crowd of people during the Liverpool victory parade.
A total of 27 people, including four children, have been taken to hospital following the incident at around 6pm on Monday evening (May 27).
A number of people had to be rescued from under the vehicle by firefighters.
Live: Latest updates on the Liverpool incident
Speaking at a press conference, Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims thanked members of the public who helped those injured after a car ploughed into people in Liverpool city centre.
She called it a “horrific incident”, telling a press conference on Monday night: “I want to thank all of the emergency services, partner agencies and members of the public who came to the assistance of the injured following this evening’s shocking incident, which we declared a major incident.
“This had been a joyous day in Liverpool with hundreds of thousands of people lining the streets to celebrate Liverpool Football Club’s victory parade.”
“A number of people have been injured and were taken to hospital,” she continued.
“In addition, a large number of people of all ages were treated at the scene, but did not require hospital treatment.”
Firefighters rescued four people, including a child, who were trapped under the car that hit pedestrians during the Liverpool Football Club victory parade in the city centre, Nick Searle, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service chief fire officer said.
He told a press conference his service was alerted to the incident at 6.07am on Monday, adding: “We immediately mobilised three fire engines to Water Street and were in attendance in four minutes.
“On arrival, the crews were met with numerous injured… and four persons trapped under a vehicle.
“Our crews rapidly lifted the vehicle, removed three adults and one child from beneath and passed them to our ambulance service colleagues.
“We then worked with emergency service partners to ensure casualties received medical treatment and transport to hospital as quickly as possible.”
He added: “My fire crews will maintain a visible and reassuring presence in the coming days and weeks.”
A 53-year-old white, British man from the Liverpool area was arrested, and Merseyside Police say they believe him to be the vehicle’s driver.
Police believe it is an isolated incident and said it was not being treated as terrorism.