What began as a jubilant celebration of Liverpool FC’s 20th league title turned into a scene of chaos and carnage when a car ploughed into a tightly packed crowd on Water Street at approximately 6:03 p.m. on Monday, May 26, 2025 , an act that has left 47 people injured, including four children, and two individuals in serious condition. Ambulance service says 27 people were taken to hospital, with 20 treated at the scene.
The incident unfolded in Liverpool city centre, just off Castle Street, near the parade route’s final leg, moments after Liverpool's open-top bus had passed through. Witnesses describe a grey people carrier, believed to be a Renault Espace , emerging beside a parked ambulance and deliberately honking and ramming into the crowd lining the pavement.
“It came to our right, just beside an ambulance. The grey people carrier rammed into all the people at the side of us. It was extremely fast,” said Harry Rashid, 48, from Solihull, who had travelled with his wife and two daughters. MailOnline reported. “Initially, we just heard the pop, pop, pop of people being knocked off the bonnet.”
Police confirmed a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area was detained at the scene, his vehicle, heavily damaged by angry onlookers, was stopped by civilians before officers pulled him from the driver’s seat and arrested him. He remains in custody as of 10:45 p.m. local time.
Daniel Jones, 28, an eyewitness and fan at the parade, told The Sun:
"They were smashing up the car, ripping the number plate off. Police had to intervene quickly to stop the crowd."
Emergency response and scene description
The narrow, cobbled Water Street, located between Dale Street and the Strand, in the shadow of the historic Town Hall , was strewn with debris and personal belongings in the aftermath. Dozens of officers, ambulances, and firefighters responded within minutes. A large blue inflatable tent was erected near the junction with Exchange Street East, preserving the site for forensic examination.
According to North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), 27 people were transported to local hospitals. Two, including a child, were seriously injured. Twenty others were treated for less severe wounds, including fractures and head injuries. NWAS confirmed the scene was cleared at 9:30 p.m., adding:
“This is indeed an appalling incident… We hope those injured make a speedy recovery.”
Nearby restaurants, including Riva Italian on Castle Street, were converted into makeshift treatment centres. Paddy Edrich, a reporter at the Liverpool Post, posted on X that injured fans were being given fluids and wrapped in bandages inside the venue.
Eyewitnesses describe horror
The horrifying nature of the event left many deeply shaken.
“We were literally like sardines walking up the street, and then we heard beeping and screaming. A black people carrier was coming straight towards us,” said Chelsea Yuen, speaking to Sky News.
“Me and my friend Francesca jumped out of the way and pulled her little girl to safety.”
Matt Cole, a BBC reporter attending with his family, narrowly avoided tragedy.
“There were screams ahead of us and suddenly this dark blue car came through the crowd. It missed us by inches. I grabbed my daughter and ran.”
Another victim, Frankie, 24, who previously survived the Manchester Arena bombing, told MailOnline:
“It’s all a blur. I fell to the floor when the side of the car hit me. I’ve got cuts and bruises and I’ll be fine, but others have more severe injuries… I don’t want to go out again.”
One unnamed witness told the Guardian:
“He must have run over 20 to 30 people. I only survived because I ducked into a side street.”
National response: PM, authorities and club react
The scale and brazenness of the incident sparked immediate responses from the highest levels of government.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, via a post on X, said:
“The scenes in Liverpool are appalling. My thoughts are with all those injured or affected. I want to thank the police and emergency services for their swift and ongoing response to this shocking incident. I’m being kept updated on developments and ask that we give the police the space they need to investigate.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper added:
“Thank you to the police and emergency services for their swift response to the truly shocking and horrendous scenes in Liverpool this evening.”
Liverpool FC posted an official statement:
“We are in direct contact with Merseyside Police… Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected. We will continue to offer our full support to the emergency services and local authorities.”
The Premier League, along with several major English clubs, wished those affected by the incident well on X, expressing their support and solidarity with the Liverpool community.
Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram said:
“Our hearts go out to all of those affected. This is a difficult day for our city region, but we stand together.”
Liverpool City Council Leader Liam Robinson stated:
“This appalling incident has cast a very dark shadow over what had been a joyous day.”
Context and symbolism
The incident occurred just days after Liverpool held a commemorative run honoring the 97 victims of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, one of the darkest moments in football history, when 97 fans tragically lost their lives in a terrace crush at an FA Cup semi-final.
Liverpool’s 20th league title parade on May 26, 2025, followed the same route as the 2019 celebrations. Thousands lined Water Street and the Strand despite drizzle, waving red scarves and flags. Fireworks exploded over the Strand, chants echoed toward St John’s Gardens.
At 6 p.m. on Monday, May 26, the celebrations turned to horror when a car ploughed into fans on Water Street , the very heart of Liverpool’s city centre, marking a chilling and tragic parallel to the city’s painful past.
The motive remains unconfirmed. However, witness testimony, video footage, and the vehicle’s erratic path , including mounting the pavement, veering from side to side, and accelerating into the crowd , have prompted speculation about intent.
“It looked clearly deliberate,” said Rashid. “He put his foot down again and just ploughed through the rest of them.”
Merseyside Police continue to investigate.
“We understand that people will be deeply upset… We would urge the public not to speculate on the circumstances,” a spokesperson said.
A press conference is expected Tuesday morning, where authorities will update the public on the condition of the injured and the progress of the investigation.
The parade, which began at 2:30 p.m., was intended as a celebration of Liverpool’s 20th league title. The 10-mile route passed through several neighbourhoods with players like Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah waving from atop the open-top bus.
As the rain fell and flares lit up the skies, nobody could have imagined the day would end in terror and trauma.
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