A 53-year-old white British man is currently in custody after a car plowed into a crowd of Liverpool supporters at the club’s victory parade.
As many as 47 people are understood to have been injured at the scene, on Water Street – in Liverpool city center, yesterday (May 26) at around 6pm local time.
Merseyside Police is not treating the incident as a terror attack.
Authorities have confirmed that 27 of those have been hospitalised, while the remaining 20 were treated at the scene.
Of those in hospital, two have sustained serious injuries – one of them is a child.
Four children in total were injured during the rampage, one of whom was stuck under the car alongside three adults who were all freed by firefighters after being mowed down by the vehicle.
Two people were seriously injured (DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)
Harrowing footage circulating online shows the motorist blasting his horn at supporters in the city center prior to accelerating into the crowd, before coming to a stop at the scene – where he was detained and subsequently arrested.
Hundreds of thousands of Liverpool FC fans had gathered in the city to celebrate the team’s first ever Premier League win in front of the fans, with the last one coming in 2020 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking at a press conference last night, assistant chief constable Jenny Sims said: “Firstly, 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.
“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.
As many as 47 people were injured after a motorist ploughed his car into a crowd of supporters at Liverpool FC’s victory parade (PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
“This had been a joyous day in Liverpool with hundreds of thousands of people lining the streets to celebrate Liverpool Football Club’s victory parade.”
She continued: “Sadly, at just after 6 o’clock this evening, as the parade was drawing to a close, we received reports that a car had been in collision with a number of pedestrians on Water Street in Liverpool city centre.
“A number of people have been injured and were taken to hospital. In addition a large number of people of all ages were treated at the scene but did not require hospital treatment.
“Specialist officers have been put in place to support the injured and their families.”
She went on to explain that the 53-year-old white British man who has been arrested was from the Liverpool area and is believed to be the driver of the car.
Sims added: “The incident is not currently being treated as terrorism. We would ask that people refrain from sharing distressing footage from the incident online and please share any information directly with our investigation team.”
Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/PAUL ELLIS
Joe Yates
Authorities speak out after man plows into crowd of Liverpool soccer fans during celebrations
Liverpool FC fans were celebrating the club’s recent success
A man has been detained after a car collided with a number of pedestrians in Water Street in Liverpool city center during Liverpool FC’s victory parade, Merseyside Police said.
A spokesperson for the North West Ambulance Service said on Monday (May 26): “NWAS is supporting an incident in Liverpool city center, following reports of a road traffic collision.
“We are currently assessing the situation and working with other members of the emergency services. Our priority is to ensure people receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible.”
At the time of writing it has been confirmed that 27 people were taken to hospital and 20 people were treated at the scene, with four children among the injured.
David Kitchin of NWAS said in an update: “We can confirm that our teams treated 20 patients at the scene for minor injuries, and these did not need hospital treatment.
“Twenty-seven patients in total were taken to hospital by ambulance, and we believe two of those, including one of the children, have sustained serious injuries.”
Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims thanked members of the public who helped those injured after a car plowed into people in Liverpool city center, UK.
An LFC parade descended into chaos after a man drove into the crowd (DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)
She called it a ‘horrific incident’, telling a press conference on Monday: “I want to thank all of the emergency services, partner agencies and members of the public who came to the assistance of the injured following this evening’s shocking incident, which we declared a major incident.
“This had been a joyous day in Liverpool with hundreds of thousands of people lining the streets to celebrate Liverpool Football Club’s victory parade.”
“A number of people have been injured and were taken to hospital,” she continued.
“In addition, a large number of people of all ages were treated at the scene, but did not require hospital treatment.”
Authorities have confirmed that children are among the injured (DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)
Firefighters rescued four people, including a child, who were trapped under the car that hit pedestrians during the Liverpool Football Club victory parade in the city center, Nick Searle, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service chief fire officer said.
He told a press conference his service was alerted to the incident at 6.07pm UK time on Monday, adding: “We immediately mobilized three fire engines to Water Street and were in attendance in four minutes.
“On arrival, the crews were met with numerous injured… and four persons trapped under a vehicle.
“Our crews rapidly lifted the vehicle, removed three adults and one child from beneath and passed them to our ambulance service colleagues.
“We then worked with emergency service partners to ensure casualties received medical treatment and transport to hospital as quickly as possible.”
He added: “My fire crews will maintain a visible and reassuring presence in the coming days and weeks.”
Police are urging people to refrain from sharing distressing footage of the incident online.
Featured Image Credit: PAUL ELLIS/Getty
Niamh Shackleton
Witnesses describe horrifying scenes as man plowed into crowd of Liverpool soccer fans leaving 50 injured
The British Prime Minister has also spoken out on the awful event that’s left dozens injured
Witnesses in Liverpool, UK, have shared what they saw when a man plowed into crowds of soccer fans.
Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said the incident was not being treated as terrorism and was believed to be an isolated incident following the arrest of a 53-year-old man at the scene. The force said the suspect was thought to be the driver of the car. He is white, British and from the Liverpool area, UK.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he had spoken to the Mayor of Liverpool about the incident, adding: “Everyone, especially children, should be able to celebrate their heroes without this horror.”
At a press conference on Monday evening (May 26), 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.
In total it’s been reported that 47 people have been left wounded.
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.
Footage circulating online appeared to show the vehicle speed up as it veered into pedestrians on both sides of the crowded street.
Officers surrounded the car as witnesses attempted to stop the driver, who was eventually detained by police.
Witness Les Winsper, 55, told The Guardian of how the incident unfolded in front of him.
He told the newspaper: “People started banging on the (car) windows. Then they smashed the windows and he panicked and put his foot down.
“He then hit someone and that person has gone in the air and he’s plowed through the rest of them. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Soccer fans were celebrating Liverpool FC’s Premier League success (Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Also speaking to The Guardian, a woman called Chelsea said that the driver was showing no sign of slowing down.
“With the commotion, that was the only reason we looked up, and thankfully, looked up and managed to jump out [of] the way in time,” she shared.
Another witness, who was walking with a group of friends, said he saw a car ‘speeding up’ and hitting pedestrians.
Mike Maddra told the PA news agency the ‘car turned left, mounted pavement, come towards us and runs towards the buildings’.
He said: “We got out the way and it was speeding up.”
Mr Maddra said he thought he saw two people being hit and added that it ‘looked deliberate’.
It’s been suggested that the man drove the car into the crowd on purpose (DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)
Elsewhere in a statement, Sir Keir Starmer said: “The scenes in Liverpool are appalling — my thoughts are with all those injured or affected.”
He later added: “They are supporting and caring for those injured in these terrible events.
“Everyone, especially children, should be able to celebrate their heroes without this horror.
“The city has a long and proud history of coming together through difficult times.
“Liverpool stands together and the whole country stands with Liverpool.”
Featured Image Credit: PAUL ELLIS/Getty
Niamh Shackleton
Everything we know so far after car drives into crowd at street festival in Vancouver killing nine people
A man driving an SUV mowed down several festival-goers in Vancouver last night
Police have given an update on a ‘mass casualty incident’ that occurred in Vancouver, Canada, last night.
People took to the streets to celebrate Lapu Lapu Festival yesterday (April 26), but what was supposed to be a fun affair ended in tragedy after a man driving an SUV mowed several festival-goers down.
The festival is a Filipino celebration of Datu Lapu-Lapu, an Indigenous Visayan Chieftain from Mactan, Philippines.
Vancouver Police Department said in a social media post: “A number of people have been killed and multiple others are injured after a driver drove into a crowd at a street festival at E. 41st Avenue and Fraser shortly after 8 p.m. [last night]. We will provide more information as the investigation unfolds.”
How many people have died?
At the time of writing, police have confirmed that nine people have sadly died in the incident following initial reports of there being a ‘number of people’ killed.
“As of now, we can confirm nine people have died after a man drove through a crowd at last night’s Lapu Lapu Festival,” law enforcement said. “Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic incident.”
Police have not yet confirmed how many people were injured.
Has there been an arrest?
A 30-year-old Vancouver man was arrested at the scene last night. He is believed to have been ‘known to police’ beforehand.
As the investigation continues, law enforcement said that they do not believe it was an act of terrorism.
A 30-year-old man was arrested at the scene and remains in custody (CBC News)
What have witnesses said?
James Cruzat, a Vancouver business owner, was at the event and heard a car rev its engine and then ‘a loud noise, like a loud bang’ that he initially thought might be a gunshot.
“We saw people on the road crying, others were like running, shouting, or even screaming, asking for help,” he said, as per PA. “We tried to go there just to check what was really actually happening until we found some bodies on the ground. Others were lifeless, others injured.
“It was terrible to see that kind of incident, that situation. It was heartbreaking.
“I couldn’t even imagine that it’s actually happening in real life, because normally we see that on TVs or movies. But when you are in that kind situation, it was really shocking. Like, you couldn’t think really, really well. You couldn’t do anything but to pray for them.”
Nine people are confirmed to have died in the tragic ordeal (DON MACKINNON/AFP via Getty Images)
Yoseb Vardeh, co-owner of the Bao Buns food truck who was also at the scene, suspected that the driver hit speeds of 100km/h (62mph).
“I think he was going for maximum damage,” he continued to tell the BBC. “I just saw bodies underneath people’s food trucks, and husbands crying out for their wife, or their kids, it was just horrible.”
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email info@grievewell.com.
Featured Image Credit: DON MACKINNON/AFP via Getty Images
Topics: Canada, Crime, World News, Police
Niamh Shackleton
Everything we know about runner who ‘attacked’ opponent with baton before she was officially charged
Alaila Everett has been hit with charges after insisting the incident was not intentional
Now that high school student Alaila Everett has been hit with charges for striking her competitor’s head with a baton, here’s everything we know about the incident so far.
The dramatic scene unfolded during the second leg of the 4×200-meter relay race during the Virginia State High School League Championships at Liberty University in Lynchburg. Footage from the event shows Everett and a fellow runner, Kaelen Tucker, making their way down the track when Everett’s baton struck Tucker across the head, causing her to fall to the floor.
Check out the footage below:
Who is Alaila Everett?
A track athlete and senior in high school, Everett joined the championship event to represent I.C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth.
Who is Kaelen Tucker?
Everett’s opponent in the race was Tucker, a junior who entered the competition to represent Brookeville High School. After she was struck by the baton, Tucker was diagnosed with a concussion and a potential skull fracture.
Alaila Everett insists it was an accident (WAVY TV 10)
What has Tucker said about the incident?
After the incident, Tucker described her version of events in an interview with WSLS.
She explained: “When you go to the other side of the track, you have to cross into lane one, you have to merge in. As I was coming up on her, she kind of like made me get cut off a little bit, so I backed away.
“Then, as we got around the curve, she kept bumping me in my arm. Then finally we got off the curve, I like slowly started passing her and then that’s when she just hit me with the baton and I fell off the track.
“I could feel like a headache coming up, so I just sat out. I recently went to the doctor, and they prescribed me with a concussion and a possible fractured skull.”
What has Everett said about the incident?
For her part, Everett has insisted that she didn’t mean to hit Tucker with the baton.
Speaking to WAVY-TV 10, she said: “After a couple times of hitting [Tucker] with my baton, I got stuck behind her back […] and it rolled up her back. I lost my balance, and when I pumped my arms again, she got hit.
“I know my intentions and I would never hit somebody on purpose,” Everett added.
Tucker fell to the ground after being struck with the baton (ABC News)
What has Everett been charged with?
As an investigation into the incident continues, the commonwealth’s attorney for the city of Lynchburg confirmed charges against Everett.
In a statement to ABC News, attorney Bethany Harrison said the high schooler had been charged with misdemeanor assault and battery.
What have authorities said about the incident?
Tucker’s parents have received an apology from both the athletic director at I.C. Norcom High School and Everett’s father in the wake of the incident, though other officials remain involved.
The Virginia High School League has said it is reviewing the incident, telling ABC News: “The VHSL membership has always made it a priority to provide student-athletes with a safe environment for competition.”
Meanwhile, the Portsmouth NAACP has said it is looking into the incident as well as alleged ‘racial slurs and death threats’ that have been aimed at the Everett family.
In a statement, the organization said: “We are committed collectively to ensuring that the criminal justice system, which we feel is not warranted in this situation, is executed fairly and based on due process.
“From all accounts, she is an exceptional young leader and scholar whose athletic talent has been well-documented and recognized across our state. She has carried herself with integrity both on and off the field and any narrative that adjudicates her guilty of any criminal activity is a violation of her due process rights.”
