On Thursday evening in Liverpool, an otherwise positive and mostly peaceful festive atmosphere turned violent. A driver drove through multiple pedestrians at a parade welcoming the Liverpool Football Club’s squad players back home. The accident, which occurred shortly after 6 p.m. local time, sent dozens of people to the hospital. Our federal emergency responders immediately swung into action to assist.
Chief Fire Officer Nick Searle of the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service reported that rescuers were able to pull four victims from under the heavy truck. Rescued at first were three adults and one child. A total of 27 people were taken to the hospital, according to North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust Head David Kitchin. One child and one adult each have life-threatening injuries and were admitted to the hospital. At the same time, 20 others were treated on scene for less serious injuries.
Witnesses told reporters that it was like an apocalyptic horror movie when the gray vehicle plowed into the crowd, sending bodies flying. Harry Rashid, who was there when the train hit the crowd, still remembers the hit on impact.
“This gray people carrier just pulled up from the right and just rammed into all the people at the side of us … It was extremely fast. Initially, we just heard the pop, pop, pop of people just being knocked off the bonnet of a car,” – Harry Rashid.
A sea of supporters that had amassed to celebrate Liverpool’s recent victory moved into action as the scene progressed. Rashid said that people ran towards the vehicle and started breaking its windows in a frenzy.
“It was horrible. And you can see all the crashes as he’s like running over the staff … I kept on seeing folks down on the ground, folks not breathing. It was horrendous. So horrendous,” he added.
Merseyside police on Monday night confirmed the arrest of a 53-year-old white British citizen from the Liverpool area. They ruled out any connection to terrorism in the overnight incident. The police department has not given any additional information about what may have motivated the man or what he intended to do.
The parade was part of a celebration marking Liverpool Football Club’s achievements and coincided with a public holiday in May in the UK. Hundreds of thousands of fans line the streets along the 10-mile parade route. To cheer them on, they waved flags and lit flares of red smoke.
In reaction to the public transport tragedy, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued his sympathies with the victims.
“The scenes in Liverpool are appalling – my thoughts are with all those injured or affected,” – UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Starmer further hailed the police and emergency services, applauding their fast response to help control the developing situation. Liverpool Football Club have now issued the following statement. They shared their heartfelt support for emergency services and local authorities still working in the wake of the incident.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this serious incident. We will continue to offer our full support to the emergency services and local authorities who are dealing with this incident,” – Liverpool Football Club.
The NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group calmed terrified relatives. They pledged to reach next of kin directly themselves, and requested that the public allow them the time to navigate this complex situation responsibly.
“We know that many people are concerned about loved ones. Next of kin will be contacted, so please help us to manage the incident as best we can by refraining from calling our switchboard,” – NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group.
As investigations remain ongoing, local authorities have called on witnesses or anyone with information pertaining to the incident to speak out. The tragedy has cast a shadow over what was intended to be a day of celebration for fans and the city alike.
