Liverpool City Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has spoken after a car drove into a huge crowd of football fans enjoying a Premier League victory parade, leading to the arrest of the driver
Four people are still “very, very ill in hospital” after a car ploughed into a crowd during Liverpool’s Premier League victory parade, the mayor said.
A 53-year-old man was arrested after the “horror” incident in Water Street in the city centre on Monday, and four children were among around 50 who were injured – including one youngster who was seriously hurt. Merseyside Police said the suspect was the driver of the car, white, British and from the Liverpool area, and added that it was not being treated as terrorism.
Liverpool City Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said he was hopeful that those seriously injured “pull through very, very quickly”.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live he continued: “The actual incident in Water Street will live with those people for all the wrong reasons, and that’s where we have to really focus our minds.
“There are still four people who are very, very ill in hospital and we are hoping of course that they pull through very, very quickly.” It followed police saying last night that an adult and a child were seriously injured but Mr Rotherham didn’t believe there had been an increase.
“No, not directly, but of course we’re in liaison with the police and with the ambulance services. Last night they had two gold command meetings – one was really late in the evening, so this morning I’ll get some updates,” he added.
The Prime Minister said he had spoken to Mr Rotheram about the incident, adding: “Everyone, especially children, should be able to celebrate their heroes without this horror.”
Clips posted on social media showed people from the crowds attempt to chase the driver. Officers quickly surrounded the car as witnesses attempted to stop the driver, who was eventually detained by police.
Nick Searle, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service chief fire officer, said four people who were trapped under the car, including a child, were rescued by firefighters.
At a press conference late on Monday evening, Dave Kitchin from North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) said 27 people were taken to hospital and 20 people were treated at the scene, with four children among the injured.
He said two of those taken to hospital, including one of the children, suffered serious injuries. Mr Kitchin said some patients had also taken themselves to local hospitals.
On Tuesday morning a police cordon remained in place at the scene, with a large police van parked in front of a blue tent on the road and officers stationed along the street.
Empty bottles and cans littered the road and a Liverpool flag was attached to the top of traffic lights. The Strand was reopened to traffic as usual.
