Everything police said about parade crash at press conference

POLICE GAVE AN UPDATE ON THE HORRIFIC INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED ON WATER STREET 16:48, 27 May 2025 Police issued a major update on the Water Street incident following the Liverpool FC title

parade. Yesterday, May 26, saw a car drive into a crowd of people on the city centre street, initially driving down Dale Street and onto Water Street. The car, a Ford Galaxy, is believed to

have followed an ambulance through the crowd after the roadblock was lifted to allow paramedics through to treat someone who was having a suspected heart attack. Once through the lifted

block, it proceeded to drive at people in the street who had been celebrating Liverpool FC's league title win. Police confirmed today 50 people were treated in hospital, with 11 of

those receiving ongoing treatment. All people are stable and believed to be recovering well. A 53-year-old man from West Derby was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder,

dangerous driving offences, and driving while unfit through drugs. Speaking during a press conference, Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said: "Good afternoon. I'm Assistant

Chief Constable Jenny Sims of Merseyside police. I would like to thank the many victims and witnesses who have come forward with information to assist our investigation following

yesterday's devastating incident on Water Street in Liverpool city centre. "Prior to the incident, hundreds of thousands of people lined the streets of Liverpool and the city

centre to pay tribute to Liverpool Football Club as they paraded their Premier League trophy. The atmosphere was electric, but sadly, just after 6pm, the joy of the day dissipated quickly

after more than 50 people were injured when a car collided with people gathered on Water Street. "We had worked extensively with event organisers and key partner agencies in the months

ahead of the potential parade. And a robust traffic management plan was in place, which included a number of local authority road closures throughout the route and the city centre.

"This included Water Street, which was closed to traffic. It is believed the driver of the Ford Galaxy car involved in this incident was able to follow an ambulance on Water Street,

after the roadblock was temporarily lifted so that the ambulance crew could attend to a member of the public who was having a suspected heart attack. "As with many large events, with

event organisers, we plan 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've previously stated, the incident is not being treated as terrorism. An extensive

investigation into the precise circumstances of the incident is ongoing, and we continue to ask people not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding the incident and refrain from sharing

distressing content online. "I have no doubt regarding the impact that this appalling incident has had on those who are injured, their family and friends, and for those who witnessed

the incident unfolding in front of them, it is so heartening to hear that the public has also recognised the human impact on our attending officers, staff and other emergency service

colleagues from North West Ambulance Service and Merseyside Fire and Rescue, and I want a personally thank the public for their support of first responders who were on scene in a matter of

seconds. "Following the incident yesterday, I can confirm on behalf of the National Health Service that we are aware of 50 people who were treated at hospital for ongoing treatment. Of

those, 11 remain in hospital for ongoing treatment. They are all in a stable condition and I am pleased to say that they appear to be recovering well. "I want to take the opportunity to

pay tribute to the brave members of the emergency services who were on the scene of yesterday's incident within a matter of seconds. Following such a shocking incident, they

immediately ran towards an extremely uncertain and potentially dangerous situation in an effort to protect members of the public and fellow emergency responders from harm. Merseyside Police

continues to work with other emergency services, Liverpool City Council, Liverpool City Combined Regional Authority, local hospitals and health providers and Liverpool Football Club,

collectively in response to this incident. "An extensive investigation into the precise circumstances of the incident is ongoing, and we continue to ask people not to speculate on the

circumstances surrounding the incident and refrain from sharing distressing content online. Information, including video footage, can be passed via the Merseyside Police Major Incident

Police Portal, and all details are available on our website. "Anyone with information or footage should contact Merseyside police social media desk via X at @MerPolCC or on Facebook

Merseyside police contact centre or call 101 alternatively contact the independent charity crime staffers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via their website. I'm now going to hand over to

Detective Chief Superintendent Karen Jaundrill, who will update on the investigation. Thank you." Detective Chief Superintendent Karen Jaundrill said: "My thoughts are with all

those injured in this awful incident, their families and friends and everyone who has been affected. Like us, many of you will still be coming to terms with what was a harrowing end to a day

of celebration. "I want to reassure the public of Merseyside that detectives are making significant progress as we seek to establish the full circumstances that led to this awful

incident and bring the person responsible to justice. We have arrested a 53-year-old man, from West Derby, on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving offences, and driving while

unfit through drugs. He remains in custody where he is being interviewed. "We have a total of 65 confirmed casualties, many of who required hospital treatment and our officers and

family liaison officers are providing special support to a large number of these victims. Further work is ongoing to identify other people affected and we will continue to support these

individuals in the days and weeks to come. Due to the number of victims in this case, we have received assistance from our neighbouring forces for which we are extremely grateful. "Our

detectives, are speaking to any witnesses, including those injured, witnesses at the scene and emergency responders, as we seek to get a full picture of exactly what happened. In addition,

extensive CCTV inquiries are being carried out across the city to establish the movements of the car, a Ford Galaxy, before the incident took place. Article continues below "We have

already had an incredible response from many of those who were there last night. I thank them for their co-operation and support with our investigation, and I would encourage anyone who has

not yet contacted the police who may may have information on this incident to do so. Thank you."