Chaos at Liverpool FC Victory Parade as Car Plows Into Crowd, Injuring Over 45
A car struck over 45 Liverpool FC fans during the Premier League victory parade on Monday, injuring many. Police arrested the driver and ruled out terrorism.
LONDON (WE) — A jubilant evening quickly turned tragic in Liverpool, United Kingdom, after a vehicle struck dozens of people celebrating Liverpool FC‘s long-awaited Premier League championship victory. Police confirmed that a 53-year-old British man drove a gray minivan into a packed crowd during Monday’s championship parade, leaving more than 45 injured and many others shaken.
Meanwhile, emergency personnel rushed to the chaotic scene near the end of the team’s official 10-mile (16-kilometer) route. Merseyside Police arrested the driver at the scene. Authorities said they believe he acted alone and have ruled out terrorism as a motive.
A video circulating online shows the van accelerating into a dense group of fans. Suddenly, screams drowned out the celebratory cheers as the vehicle surged forward, knocking people to the ground and dragging some along the street before stopping.
“We heard loud popping noises,” said local father Harry Rashid, who stood nearby with his wife and two daughters. “It sounded like bodies hitting metal.” Rashid described how people rushed toward the vehicle after it stopped. “They started breaking the windows, trying to get the driver out. However, then he hit the gas again and pushed through more people. It was horrifying.”
The North West Air Ambulance Service confirmed that 27 victims were transported to hospitals. Two of them suffered serious injuries. Meanwhile, twenty others received treatment at the scene for minor wounds, including bruises, scrapes, and emotional shock. Among the injured were four children and a medic on bicycle patrol.
Firefighters worked frantically to lift the minivan and free four people pinned underneath. Passersby and emergency responders joined in. One nurse described the scene as “a battlefield of red shirts and twisted limbs.”
Liverpool FC issued a brief statement shortly after the attack. “Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected,” the club said on X (formerly Twitter). The Premier League also released a statement, expressing “deep shock” and calling the event an “appalling and tragic incident.”
Tens of thousands of Liverpool fans had gathered along the parade route. Despite rain and wind, many clung to traffic poles or stood on rooftops to catch a glimpse of their team. Red smoke from flares filled the air as chants of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” echoed across the city. Some supporters traveled from as far as Scotland, Ireland, and Europe.
Peter Jones, a lifelong supporter from the Isle of Man, described the terrifying moment he saw the van swerve. “We heard frantic beeping, then a car rushed past me and my mate. It just slammed into people. Some tried to chase it and stop it. Medics and officers ran past us immediately after,” he said.
Jones added, “I saw six, maybe seven, people lying motionless on the ground. Others screamed for help. In an instant, it went from joy to panic.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the attack “deeply appalling” and said he was receiving constant updates. He thanked emergency responders and urged citizens to refrain from sharing distressing images or videos on social media.
The celebration marked a historic moment for the club. This year’s league title was Liverpool FC‘s 20th in England’s top flight, tying them with long-time rivals Manchester United for most championships in English football history.
Supporters had waited years for a moment like this. The team won the title in the 2020 season, but COVID-19 restrictions prevented fans from gathering. Therefore, this year, fans showed up in droves, waving scarves and flags despite the rain. Players waved from atop buses emblazoned with “Ours Again,” celebrating their record-equalling feat.
Fireworks lit up the night sky as the convoy passed the historic Royal Liver Building, one of the city’s landmarks. Red lights and smoke cloaked the streets in Liverpool’s signature colors.
Security had been tight throughout the parade. Police vehicles lined the roads, and drones flew overhead. Officers on horseback patrolled the main intersections. Nonetheless, the unexpected nature of the van’s attack blindsided authorities and fans alike.
A senior official with Merseyside Police said, “We had no intelligence suggesting any threats during the parade. The suspect acted alone, and there is currently no indication of a wider plot.”
They identified the suspect as a 53-year-old white British male. Authorities believe this clarity may help prevent false rumors from spreading. In recent years, misinformation has fueled violence in similar incidents.
Last summer, a stabbing attack in Southport left three teenage girls dead and ten others injured during a dance class. In the immediate aftermath, incorrect reports on social media falsely claimed the attacker was an asylum seeker. He was later confirmed to be British-born. That misinformation helped ignite riots in Northern Ireland and parts of England, where mobs targeted hotels housing asylum seekers.
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Police hope transparency will prevent similar escalation. “We understand the public’s frustration and concern,” said Detective Chief Superintendent Andrea Turner. “However, we urge people to allow the investigation to proceed based on facts.”
Investigators are now reviewing surveillance footage, witness statements, and video captured by spectators. Social media has provided several angles of the incident, helping authorities map the driver’s path and behavior. The Crown Prosecution Service will determine formal charges after initial findings are submitted.
Sources close to the suspect told ITV News that he recently underwent a divorce and showed signs of “mental instability,” though this has not been officially confirmed. Mental health services in the UK have struggled to keep up with demand following the pandemic, and local leaders have called for increased funding for early intervention and community programs.
In the city, community groups moved quickly to support victims. The Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust activated its emergency trauma protocol to handle the sudden influx of patients. The British Red Cross and Samaritans also deployed volunteers to help families and coordinate mental health care for affected individuals.
Liverpool Mayor Liam Robinson condemned the incident as a “cowardly and sickening attack on innocent people.” He promised that the city would “stand together and support the victims through recovery.”
Outside Anfield Stadium, fans left flowers and club scarves in tribute to the injured. Some posted handwritten notes, one of which read: “We waited so long for this moment, and someone tried to steal it. Nevertheless, they won’t steal our spirit.”
By Tuesday morning, #LiverpoolStrong and #YNWA (“You’ll Never Walk Alone”) trended across social platforms like X, Facebook, and Instagram.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting visited injured fans at the hospital and said he was “heartbroken but inspired by the bravery of responders.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the government would launch a review into crowd safety measures at major public sporting events. “We must understand what happened and learn from it,” she said.
Liverpool FC said it would fund medical expenses for the victims and support their families during recovery. “Our club has always stood with its people,” said manager Jürgen Klopp, “and we will do so now more than ever.”
Fans expressed a mix of heartbreak and gratitude. “It could’ve been me or my son,” said Lucy McKenna, who had just left the crowd minutes before the van struck. “Still, we’ll be back next year. We don’t let hate win here.”
As Liverpool reels from this tragedy, the strength of its people continues to shine. Although the celebrations ended in horror, the unity displayed afterward reminds everyone that the spirit of the city—and its football fans—remains unbroken.
