Packed parade turns to panic
A proud day for Liverpool turned into a nightmare for one family as a car ploughed into crowds during the club’s Premier League victory parade. Anthony Claypole, 42, was celebrating with his two children when a Ford Galaxy broke through a roadblock and sped into the densely packed crowd on Water Street.
Anthony, from Barry in South Wales, had travelled to Liverpool with 11-year-old Evan and 10-year-old Sydney to witness the historic title parade. But what began as a joyful family outing ended in chaos when the car, said to be travelling at speeds of up to 30mph, tore through fans gathered near the city’s waterfront.
Dad’s quick actions save his children
Speaking after the terrifying ordeal, Anthony described the moment he heard screaming and spotted the car heading straight for them. “I had hold of Evan and Sydney and managed to move them both to the left just enough to avoid being hit,” he said. “Somehow I lost Sydney—I was panicking because I thought she had gone under the car.”
Thankfully, a relative managed to grab Sydney in the melee. Anthony was struck by the side of the vehicle and knocked to the ground, landing on top of his children. “It’s a miracle we’re still here,” he said. “If I hadn’t pulled them away, we’d have been killed.”
Children injured in the crush
Evan suffered a sprained ankle and cut shin, while Sydney was left with bruises on her legs. The family received immediate help from paramedics and later returned to Wales for further treatment. Anthony, a father of five and former HGV driver who suffers from PTSD, said: “I just wanted to get my kids home and safe. That’s all that mattered.”
Police arrest 53-year-old man
Merseyside Police confirmed that a 53-year-old man from West Derby was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder, drug driving, and dangerous driving. Investigators say the vehicle had followed behind an ambulance that was responding to an unrelated medical emergency in the parade zone.
At least 79 people were injured in the incident, including several children, with seven still in hospital. The street has since been reopened, and forensic officers continue to work at the scene.
Outrage over safety breach
Anthony expressed frustration at the security lapse that allowed the car into a pedestrian-only zone. “It should never have happened. There was high security, but the car still got through,” he said. “The police response looked slow. People were trying to escape, some were trying to stop the driver, and others were just frozen.”
The incident has cast a shadow over what should have been a day of celebration. Anthony and his partner Jodie say the family has now cancelled a planned Anfield stadium tour for Evan’s birthday. “The physical injuries will heal,” Jodie said. “But it’s the mental trauma I’m most worried about.”
