Liverpool is a city that unites in times of tragedy – a distant chorus of You’ll Never Walk Alone broke out… A few joined in but most people just listened; this time the words meant so much more
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Liverpool: Police still on scene as crowds empty after incident
Up to a million Liverpool fans braved the rain today to decorate the city centre with a sea of red shirts, scarves and banners.
Their heroes arrived on an open topped bus and were greeted by screaming supporters and a sky of red pyro for the first public celebration of a league title in three generations.
But minutes later, as fans spread into restaurants, hotels and pubs to digest the party of a lifetime, rumours spread of a serious incident that occurred nearby.
Disturbing videos spread on WhatsApp confirmed their worst fears; a car had ploughed into a crowd of fans likely heading home to their loved ones.
The mood changed instantly, from a priceless celebration to a quiet, concern and worry for the safety of those involved.
At 5:30pm I watched Virgil van Dijk and the players lift the Premier League trophy opposite the Liver Building with thousands of screaming fans and fireworks.
Half an hour later as the same supporters packed the street to head home via Moorfields station, a car apparently ploughed into several people at random.
It happened on Water Street, where we, like many others, had walked through to catch the end of the parade.
One dad told me: “I heard screaming looked behind me and seen a person got flipped into the air. I grabbed the kids and my Mrs and we ran into that cafe. I saw him come up the road and hit three people, everyone was screaming.
“The car stopped and this lad got hold of him and attacked him as he got out the car but the police were quick to respond.”
It’s impossible to put into words what so many Liverpool supporters, families and those involved are feeling.
There’s a mixture of empathy for the victims – how are they, and their families? – and also anger at how could this happen. Who, and why?
The only certainty is that Liverpool is a city that unites in times of tragedy. For now it’s time for the police to do their job.
Many city centre bars quietened down as news spread of the severity of what happened. The celebrations muted.
A distant chorus of You’ll Never Walk Alone broke out. A few joined in but most people just listened, this time the words meant so much more.
