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
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
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Everything we know after car plows into Liverpool FC fans as authorities speak out
Hundreds of thousands of Liverpool supporters flocked to the city center for the team’s victory parade, after winning the Premier League
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 which 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
Multiple people dead and several injured after car drives into crowd at street festival in Vancouver
Vancouver Police Department said the incident took place around 8pm last night (April 26)
A mass casualty incident unfolded at neighbourhood block party last night, leaving several people dead.
Around 8:14pm on April 26, a man driving a SUV plowed into a crowd of people in Vancouver, Canada.
It’s said that the event that was being hosted was a Filipino community festival — known as The Lapu Lapu Day festival — with an unknown amount of people in attendance.
Confirming the news of the tragic incident, 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. tonight. The driver is in custody. We will provide more information as the investigation unfolds.”
In an update, law enforcement said that a 30-year-old Vancouver man was arrested at the scene.
“The investigation is ongoing and is being led the Vancouver Police Department’s Major Crime Section,” police added.
Witnesses say that the man drove ‘completely straight, right through the crowd’, as per BBC News.
Yoseb Vardeh, co-owner of the Bao Buns food truck who was 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.”
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. tonight. The driver is in custody. We will provide more information as the investigation unfolds.
Newly-elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has addressed the harrowing ordeal and said he was ‘devastated’.
“I am devastated to hear about the horrific events at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver earlier this evening,” he penned on Twitter.
“I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver. We are all mourning with you.
“We are monitoring the situation closely, and thankful to our first responders for their swift action.”
A 30-year-old man was arrested at the scene (CBC News)
Elizabeth May, co-leader of Canada’s Green Party, has also taken to social media, writing: “My prayers are with Vancouver and its Filipino community as we hold our breath waiting to hear more about the tragedy that took place at Lapu Lapu Day in south Vancouver tonight.”
She added: “I’m horrified and heartbroken that such an attack could occur, and on an occasion celebrating Filipino culture, resilience, and resistance. I am sending my love to affected families.”
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: YouTube/ CBC News
Topics: Canada, Crime, World News, News, Police
Niamh Shackleton
Fans demand disqualification after Olympic final erupts into ’embarrassing’ mass brawl
The Olympic hockey final descended into a chaotic display as opposing teams pushed and shoved each other after a shootout
Fans are calling for players to be disqualified after a ‘classless’ brawl broke out during the hockey final.
Germany had been facing off against the Netherlands in the final for the coveted Olympic gold medal.
Things only got even more tense, however, when the match ended in a 1-1 draw, meaning it would have to go to a shootout to decide the victor.
Telgenkamp mockingly shushed the German keeper. (ARUN SANKAR/AFP via Getty Images)
The Germans were first to shoot, with the Dutch keeper Pirmin Blaak managing to keep the goal at bay with some saves.
Dutch shooter Duco Telgenkamp then faced off against German keeper Jean-Paul Danneberg, managing to shoot past the the keeper and claim the gold medal for the Dutch hockey team.
But it was what happened during the celebration immediately after the shoot out which has gotten viewers up in arms.
Specifically, the actions of Telgenkamp towards the keeper.
The shooter went up to the German keeper and did a ‘shushing’ motion towards him.
With emotions already high as you might imagine at an Olympic final, Telgenkamp’s provocation drew a furious response.
Things got out of hand after Netherlands won hockey gold 😬 #BBCOlympics #Paris2024 #Olympics
German player Niklas Wellen then rushed to confront the Dutch shooter as his teammates celebrated around him.
He was blocked by Dutch player Floris Middendorp, who stopped him from reaching Telgenkamp.
Telgenkamp then appeared to continue to mock the German side, sticking his tongue out at Wellen.
Things soon escalated with a scuffle breaking out between the two teams as they pushed and shoved each other before officials were forced to intervene to break it up.
Following the incident, Telgenkamp apologised for his behaviour, saying as per Metro: “In hindsight, I shouldn’t have gone to him. I regret that. I also apologise. I should have let it go and it wasn’t very smart.”
Things got heated after the match. (Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)
He added: “But it’s also a bit the nature of the beast. I can be very cool-headed, but I can also let myself go. Is that part of it?
“He affected me personally. Sports are not business, it doesn’t take much to be provoked. That’s how I go into the match. I felt a bit offended.”
But viewers were not impressed by the display following the final, with some even calling for disqualifications on social media.
One wrote: “Should be disqualified”, while another wrote simply: “Classless.”
Meanwhile, a third person offered some sage advice, posting: “Winning with grace is just as important as losing with grace.”
And someone else called it ‘absolutely embarrassing and disgraceful’.
However, German forward Christopher Ruhr called the Dutch team’s win ‘lucky’, saying: “We deserved to win the gold medal. It was an incredibly close match that came down to the shoot-out.
“The Dutch team had the luck today, but our overall performance was strong.
“I think it is phenomenal that we made it to two finals at major sports events and won major knockout games.”
UNILAD has contacted the IOC for comment.
