4 Liverpool fans seriously hurt in van-ramming during parade
A 53-year-old man is being held by British police in connection with a tragic incident that occurred during a joyous soccer celebration in Liverpool. The collision resulted in more than two dozen people being sent to hospitals, with four in critical condition. Merseyside Police have confirmed that they are not treating the incident as terrorism and are not searching for any additional suspects. The identity of the arrested driver has not been disclosed, as is customary in British police investigations.
The incident took place on Water Street, near the River Mersey, shortly after players from the Liverpool Football Club had celebrated their Premier League championship with an open-topped bus parade. The area was cordoned off by police tape, with a blue tent erected on the street where debris from the celebration, such as bottles, cans, and Liverpool flags, littered the ground.
Liverpool City Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram revealed that four of the injured individuals are in critical condition in hospital. A total of 47 people were injured in the collision, with 27 taken to local hospitals and 20 treated at the scene for minor injuries. Fortunately, there were no reported fatalities. Among the injured were four children, with one child among the four individuals trapped under the van and subsequently rescued by firefighters.
Eyewitnesses described the horrifying scene as the minivan plowed into the crowd of fans who were celebrating the team’s victory. The vehicle struck multiple individuals, tossing them in the air and causing chaos among the crowd. Despite the initial impact, the van continued to accelerate through the crowd, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his shock at the incident and commended the bravery of the emergency responders. He extended his thoughts and prayers to all those affected by the tragedy and emphasized the unity and support for Liverpool in the aftermath of the incident.
Liverpool FC CEO Billy Hogan offered condolences on behalf of the club to those impacted by the incident and praised the swift actions of first responders and civilians who rushed to assist the injured. The club has a history of tragedy, notably the Hillsborough disaster in 1989, which claimed the lives of 94 fans.
In an effort to prevent misinformation from circulating on social media, authorities have refrained from publicly identifying the suspect involved in the collision. This cautious approach follows a previous incident where false information spread on social media led to violent unrest targeting specific communities.
The investigation into the collision is ongoing, with police working diligently to piece together the events leading up to the tragic incident. The community of Liverpool has come together in solidarity, standing strong in the face of adversity and offering support to those affected by the devastating turn of events.
