Merseyside Police are still questioning the 53-year-old man – described as a “fantastic guy” by neighbours – after he allegedly ploughed into a crowd at Liverpool FC’s victory parade
The wife of a man who allegedly rammed his car into a crowd at Liverpool FC’s victory parade found out about the horror when she “saw her car on the TV news,” say neighbours.
The 53-year-old man, married with three teenage children, remains in custody as police were granted extra time to question him. Neighbours in West Derby, Liverpool, have described him as “a fantastic guy” and “a family man” as they expressed their shock at the arrest yesterday.
One also told The Sun: “She [the wife] first realised when she saw it was her car on the telly, when she saw it being driven at the parade. The normal police cars turned up at teatime then Matrix van turned up later that night.”
Merseyside Police’s extension came in on Wednesday and remains until Thursday. The force also said seven people remained in hospital in a stable condition after the collision on Water Street on Monday and they had identified 79 people who were injured in the incident.
The suspect, who Merseyside Police described as “white British”, was arrested on Monday hours after a car careered into the pedestrians celebrating Liverpool FC’s second Premier League title.
When police arrived at the suspect’s home soon after the horror, neighbours assumed the family had been victims of a burglary. One said: “It’s completely out of character. They are a nice family, the boys are well behaved. He is a fantastic guy.
“It just doesn’t make any sense… The family is lovely. The whole thing is so sad – for his wife and children and for all those people who were hurt and injured.”
The suspect, who is thought to be a former company director, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and drug driving.
The Prime Minister visited Liverpool on Wednesday afternoon to speak to police chiefs about the incident. Keir Starmer travelled to the force headquarters in Liverpool city centre to meet Deputy Chief Constable Chris Green, Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims, Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell and Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram.
He told the meeting: “The scenes on Monday were just awful, to see how incredible joy at an amazing achievement turned to horror in a moment.
“Steve, the mayor, has been keeping me informed and updated along with my team but it’s really important to be here to go through this first hand with you, so thank you for making time and ensuring that I get to see the detail in the way that I’d like to.”
Messages of support have been sent to the people of Liverpool, including from King Charles who said: “I know that the strength of community spirit for which your city is renowned will be a comfort and support to those in need.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales also said they were “deeply saddened” by the parade crash, adding: “What should have been a joyful celebration ended with tragedy.”
