Twenty-seven people were injured and taken to hospital when a car rammed into a crowd of celebrating soccer fans at a parade for their football club in Liverpool on Monday, May 26.
Two people, including a child, “have sustained injuries deemed to be serious,” according to The Northwest Ambulance Service (NWAS) in a statement. Three other children were injured and hospitalized and another 20 parade-goers were treated for minor injuries at the scene, according to officials.
“Our cyclist paramedic was also struck by the vehicle, but we are pleased to report that no injuries were sustained,” the ambulance service said. The service added that some people have took themselves to local hospitals. “We are working closely with our partners at Merseyside Police and share their appeal for calm,” the NWAS said.
Video footage shared on social media shows a gray minivan plowing through a large crowd of people during Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory parade.
Police, ambulances and fire trucks were on scene quickly and roped off the surrounding area, where thousands were attending the festivities.
United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he’s monitoring developments. “The scenes in Liverpool are appalling – my thoughts are with all those injured or affected,” Starmer said in a statement
British police held a press conference at which they said they consider the crash “an isolated incident” and it is not being treated as terror-related. A 53-year-old man is in police custody in connection with the incident. He is from the Liverpool area and is believed to be the driver, Merseyside Police said. police said the car stopped at the scene after the accident. They asked the public “not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding tonight’s incident. Extensive inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances leading up to the collision.”