Liverpool parade collision: What we know so far

Police are not treating an incident in which a car ploughed through crowds of people near Liverpool FC’s trophy parade as terrorism, a senior officer has said.

Thousands of fans were lining the streets to celebrate the club winning the Premier League title at the time.

At least 27 people, including four children, were taken to hospital on Monday evening but no deaths have been reported so far.

Follow live: Man arrested after pedestrians hit during Liverpool parade

Following a press conference by the emergency services on Monday night, here’s what we know so far.

What happened?

The incident occurred on Water Street in the city centre – near Liverpool Town Hall and the Liver Building – when a car drove through a crowd of pedestrians.

Witnesses described a people carrier driving into a crowd who had been out celebrating in their tens of thousands on Monday.

A 53-year-old white British man, who is believed to be the driver, was arrested at the scene.

Footage filmed from a nearby building showed the incident unfold.

What are the emergency services saying?

At a press conference, deputy chief constable of Merseyside Police, Jenny Sims, said the force received reports at 6pm that a car had hit a number of pedestrians.

“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 that did not require hospital treatment.”

Ms Sims described the collision, which unfolded as the parade was winding down, as a “terrible tragedy” – with detectives immediately declaring a major incident.

DCC Simms said police believe it was an isolated incident and is not being treated as terror-related, without providing any detail about why it may have happened.

Giving updates on the injured, Dave Kitchin, head of service at the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said 27 people were taken to hospital by ambulance.

Two of those, including one child, sustained serious injuries, he said.

Mr Kitchin added that 20 patients were treated at the scene for minor injuries and did not need hospital treatment.

What has the response been so far?

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was being updated on the situation and thanked police for their swift action.

“The scenes in Liverpool are appalling – my thoughts are with all those injured or affected,” he said.

Liverpool Football Club said it was in contact with the force and would “continue to offer our full support to the emergency services and local authorities who are dealing with this incident”.

Liverpool’s city rivals Everton FC said in a statement on social media: “Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by this serious incident in our city.”

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper thanked police and called the incident “truly shocking and horrendous”.

“Thinking of all those affected at this very difficult time. The police are investigating and I’m being kept updated on developments.”