A 53-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drugs after dozens of people were injured by a car at a parade to celebrate Liverpool winning the Premier League, Merseyside Police said.
Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said the force believe the car which struck pedestrians was able to follow an ambulance crew attending to someone suffering a heart attack after a road block was temporarily lifted.
Detective Chief Superintendent Karen Jaundrill said there were a total of 65 confirmed casualties following the incident on Water Street in the city centre on Monday
More than 50 people were treated in different hospitals and 11 people remained there on Tuesday in a stable condition
Ms Sims said: “It is believed the driver of the Ford Galaxy car involved in this incident was able to follow an ambulance onto Water Street after the road block was temporarily lifted so that the ambulance crew could attend to a member of the public who was having a heart attack.”
She added: “There was no intelligence to suggest an incident of this nature would take place.”
Ms Sims defended the policing operation during the parade, telling reporters that the force planned for “all contingencies” – including road closures and an armed police presence.
It followed the city’s metro mayor Steve Rotheram’s comments that the vehicle should not have been on the street and that questions about how the car was able to enter the road were “legitimate”.
Providing an update on the investigation, Ms Jaundrill said the suspect, from the West Derby area of Liverpool, remains in custody and is being interviewed by officers.
The senior officer said the force received help from neighbouring forces “due to the number of victims”.
More to follow…
