Police issue a statement with a man detained after a car hits pedestrians at the Liverpool FC title parade on Bank Holiday Monday.
There is currently a large emergency service presence in Liverpool city centre following reports that a car went into crowd of people, Merseyside Police say.
This happened on Water Street just after 18:00, prompting a significant emergency response, with image in Sky News’ report showing police, cordons, metal barriers at the scene, and an air ambulance present.
The number and severity of injuries are unknown, and a man has been detained.
Merseyside police statement:
“We are currently dealing with reports of a road traffic collision in Liverpool city centre.
“We were contacted at just after 6pm today, Monday 26 May, following reports a car had been in collision with a number of pedestrians on Water Street.
“The car stopped at the scene and a male has been detained.
“Emergency services are currently on the scene.”
A further update: “A 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area has been arrested after a car ploughed into a crowd of people during Liverpool FC’s victory parade.”
A spokesperson for the force said: “We would ask people not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding tonight’s incident on Water Street in Liverpool city centre.
“We can confirm the man arrested is a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area.
“Extensive enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances leading up to the collision.”
We are currently dealing with reports of an RTC in Liverpool city centre. We were contacted at just after 6pm today, Mon 26 May, following reports a car had been in collision with a number of pedestrians on Water Street. The car stopped at the scene and a male detained. pic.twitter.com/1qomVIDuqB
— Merseyside Police (@MerseyPolice) May 26, 2025
A spokesman for Liverpool City Council says: “We are currently liaising with Merseyside Police regarding an incident on Water Street in the city centre.”
North West Ambulance Service’s statement said:
“NWAS is supporting an incident in Liverpool city centre, following reports of a road traffic collision.
“We are currently assessing the situation and working with other members of the emergency services.
“Our priority is to ensure people receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible.”
Warren Moran (reporting from Liverpool city centre): “I’m here on Water Street, where there is police tape cordoning off the area. Earlier, police began receiving reports that a car collided with a number of pedestrians on the road.
“I have seen what appears to be at least three injured people being taken away.
“The North West Air Ambulance has just landed at the scene.
“There is a large police presence and first responders are attending to the scene.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer tweeted: “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.”
Liverpool FC tweeted: “We are in direct contact with Merseyside Police regarding the incident on Water Street which happened towards the end of the trophy parade earlier this evening.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this serious incident.
“We will continue to offer our full support to the emergency services and local authorities who are dealing with this incident.”
Everton FC wrote: “Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by this serious incident in our city. 💙❤️”
Natasha Rinaldi tells Sky News: “It was so loud. People sounded desperate.
“And then we looked out the window and we saw the car [had] run over people.
“Then people started rushing to go after the driver and they tried to break the car. The police did everything to block and to push people away.
“We could just hear screams and screams. We were very confused.
“Some of my friends were down there and the car was so near them. It was a horrible scene, nobody was expecting it.”
She says “people had stopped the car” and were knocking on the window “and trying to speak to the driver”.
“People were very angry and shocked, and then the police intervened. And then we heard the ambulances coming.
“We still don’t understand what happened, how it happened, why it happened. We don’t know.”
Chelsea Yuen, who was out celebrating Liverpool’s title win when the incident took place, said to Sky News.
She had been walking up Water Street with her friend and their partner when they had a near miss with the car itself.
“We were literally like sardines walking up the street, and then we heard beeping and screaming and when we looked up, there was a black, people carrier, driving straight towards us,” she said.
“Me and my friend Francesca jumped out the way and pulled her little girl out the way.”
Yuen said she could see the windows of the car smashed in, and people were chasing after it.
Amid the chaos and confusion, she told Sky News she didn’t know what was happening, and the three of them tried to get away as quickly as possible.
When leaving, she said she saw people begging with police to intervene.
She said: “I’m just in shock. Like we can’t stop shaking.”
Prescot Cables FC tweeted: “We are really disturbed by the upsetting scenes in Liverpool at the Title Parade celebrations. If you are in the area, please, let your family and friends know that you are ok as there are a great many people worried.”
