Dozens of people were injured after a car drove through a crowd in England celebrating the Liverpool Football Club’s Premier League title.
David Kitchen of the North West Ambulance Service said at a press conference that 27 individuals in total were taken to the hospital for their injuries, including two with serious injuries, while 20 others were treated at the scene for minor injuries and didn’t require hospitalization.
Police said a 53-year-old white British man has been arrested following the incident, but they asked the public not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding the incident as extensive investigations are underway to learn more.
Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Simms of the Merseyside Police said they received reports just after 6 p.m. local time as the parade celebrating the victory was ending that a car collided with multiple pedestrians in the city center. She said specialist officers have been made available for the injured and their families.
Kitchen said four of the injured are children.
Simms said authorities believe the 53-year-old man to be the driver of the vehicle and this to be an isolated incident. She said they’re not searching for anyone else in connection with it, and it’s not currently being treated as an act of terrorism.
“My thoughts are with all those injured in tonight’s horrific incident, their families and friends, and all those affected by the terrible tragedy that has taken place today,” Simms said. “I want to thank all the emergency services, partner agencies and members of the public who came to the assistance of the injured following this evening’s shocking events.”
Liverpool City Council member Liam Robinson said officials are working closely with the police in the investigation and reiterated calls on people not to speculate about the motives behind the incident and allow the police to conduct their inquiry.
“Liverpool is a city that has a proud history of coming together and supporting each other during challenging times,” Robinson said. “I’ve no doubt that will again be the case over the coming days and weeks.”
The BBC reported that eyewitnesses said the car hit a group of people before speeding up and then stopping. A BBC reporter said a group of men were running after the car trying to bang on the side of it.
Another witness told the outlet the driver was beeping as he went through the crowd.
United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the scene “appalling” in a post on X and said his thoughts are with all who were injured or affected.
“I want to thank the police and emergency services for their swift and ongoing response to this shocking incident,” he said. “I’m being kept updated on developments and ask that we give the police the space they need to investigate.”
