A man who survived the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing is among dozens injured after a car ploughed into a crowd of football fans during Liverpool’s Premier League trophy parade on Monday evening.
The horror incident occurred shortly after 6pm on Water Street in Liverpool city centre, as thousands celebrated the club’s 20th league title. The day, which had begun in joy, quickly descended into chaos as a vehicle rammed into fans gathered near the parade route.
Emergency services responded within minutes. A total of 47 people were injured—20 were treated at the scene and 27, including four children, were taken to hospital. Firefighters rescued four people trapped underneath the car, including a child.
One victim, 24-year-old Frankie, told the Mail that he had also survived the Manchester Arena bombing. “The side of the car went into me and I fell to the floor. It’s all a blur. I’ve got cuts and bruises and I’ll be fine but there’s loads who have got more severe injuries,” he said. “I was at the Manchester Arena incident. I don’t want to go out again.”
Another survivor of the 2017 terror attack, Robby Potter, who was seriously injured when shrapnel tore through his chest, was nearby during the crash. He said he was just “10 seconds in front” of the vehicle when it struck the crowd. “I’m shaking,” he said. “I said areas away from the main parade could be targets.”
Patrick Milligan, 25, from Wigan, described the terrifying moment the car entered the crowd: “We all had the best day of our lives watching the parade and then it was like a tsunami within about five minutes of the parade finishing. It was horrific. The car just swerved into the crowd at speed and everyone was screaming.”
A total of four people remain in hospital with serious injuries, according to Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram. “There are still four people who are very, very ill in hospital and we are hoping they pull through very, very quickly,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
Merseyside Police confirmed that a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area has been arrested. Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said: “We believe this to be an isolated incident and are not currently looking for anyone else. The incident is not being treated as terrorism.”
One working theory is that the driver may have tailed an ambulance through crowd barriers and panicked when confronted by pedestrians, accelerating into the crowd.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his concern, saying: “Everyone, especially children, should be able to celebrate their heroes without this horror.”
Merseyside Police continue to appeal for witnesses and footage. Anyone with information is urged to contact the force quoting reference number 260624.
