Multitude hurt as motorist mows down gatherings of jubilant Liverpool football supporters during triumphant procession
Liverpool, United Kingdom – Emergency crews swiftly responded to a unexpected incident during Liverpool Football Club's celebration parade on Monday, where a van plowed into a crowd of soccer fans, injuring several individuals.
Police in Liverpool arrested a 53-year-old local man suspected of driving the vehicle after the collision. Witnesses reported that the minivan ran into a group of fans celebrating the city's soccer team's Premier League Championship.
Authorities have confirmed that 27 people were hospitalized as a result of the collision, with two suffering serious injuries and another 20 individuals treated at the scene for minor injuries. At least four children were among the injured, one of whom sustained severe injuries. Emergency responders had to lift the van to free three adults and a child from underneath it.
Firefighters on the scene also stated that a cyclist paramedic was struck by the van, but he did not sustain injuries.
In a separate incident, a driver hit multiple people attending a Filipino festival in Vancouver, Canada, leaving several victims deceased. The driver was arrested, and the incident is currently under investigation.
Merseyside Police is investigating the Liverpool incident and has confirmed that the collision took place in the city center at around 6 p.m. on Monday. The vehicle stopped at the scene, and the driver was detained. Police have asked the public not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding the collision and have requested that any footage or information be sent to Merseyside Police or Crimestoppers.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his condolences for the incident, stating that the scenes were "appalling" and that his thoughts were with those injured or affected. He also praised the police and emergency services for their swift response to the shocking incident.
The incident took place after a large celebration in the city center where tens of thousands of fans braved the wet weather to line the streets and watch the players display the Premier League trophy on top of two buses.
In the aftermath of the collision, fans and paramedics provided assistance, and the scene was quickly secured. Additional details about the investigation are expected to be released in the coming days.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for our website Digital. Send story tips and ideas to [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @GregWehner.
- The Liverpool Football Club's celebration parade in the city center was marred by a tragic accident when a van crashed into a crowd, injuring several individuals, including at least four children, and sparking a breaking news event.
- In a separate general-news report, a driver struck multiple people at a Filipino festival in Vancouver, Canada, resulting in several fatalities, and the incident is currently under investigation.
- As the weather in Liverpool was uncertain, tens of thousands of fans braved the wet weather to celebrate their city's team's Premier League Championship, but the joy was short-lived due to the unexpected vehicle collision.
- In the sports world, the Liverpool incident serves as a chilling reminder of the importance of crime-and-justice and safety, both on and off the field, and underlines the need for continued vigilance in preventing such accidents.
