What was supposed to be a joyful day in Liverpool ended in chaos after a man drove a minivan into a crowd of fans celebrating the city’s Premier League title win. More than 45 people were injured, some seriously, as the van tore through supporters gathered near the Royal Liver Building on Monday.
Police say the 53-year-old driver, a British national, was arrested at the scene. He acted alone, and authorities do not believe the incident was related to terrorism.
Emergency responders rushed to help, with 27 people taken to the hospital and about 20 others treated on-site for minor injuries. Among the victims were at least four children. Firefighters had to lift the van to rescue four people who were trapped underneath, including a child. A paramedic on a bicycle was also hit but escaped serious injury.
“What had been a day of celebration has turned into something very painful for our city,” said Liam Robinson, head of the city council, during a late-night briefing.
Witnesses said the van suddenly entered the parade route just as the celebrations were winding down. Videos posted online showed the vehicle hitting a man and then veering into a sea of fans dressed in red, many of them waving flags and wearing Liverpool jerseys. Bodies were seen flying or being dragged before the vehicle came to a stop.
Harry Rashid, who was there with his wife and two young daughters, said the crash felt intentional.
“We heard the sound of people getting knocked down. Then the driver sped up again and ran over more people. It was horrifying,” Rashid said. “My daughter was screaming. People were lying on the ground. They were just fans trying to enjoy the parade.”
Crowds had filled the streets in their thousands to celebrate Liverpool winning its 20th league title. Supporters braved the rain and climbed onto traffic lights and balconies to catch a glimpse of the players, who were riding on open-top buses that moved slowly along a 10-mile route lined with fans.
Peter Jones, who came from the Isle of Man, said the crash happened just ahead of him.
“We heard frantic honking, then the van sped past us. People tried to stop it, windows were smashed. Then he just drove into the crowd. It was awful,” he said.
Police are still investigating what led to the crash and have asked people not to spread rumors or post distressing images. Officers confirmed the suspect was white, possibly to prevent misinformation. Last year, after a stabbing incident in nearby Southport, false rumors that the suspect was an asylum seeker sparked days of rioting.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the incident heartbreaking and praised emergency workers.
“No one, especially children, should face this kind of horror while celebrating something so special,” Starmer said. “Liverpool has always stood strong in tough times, and the whole country stands with the city now.”
The tragic incident echoes past heartbreak for Liverpool fans. In 1989, 97 supporters lost their lives in the Hillsborough stadium disaster, one of the worst in football history. That tragedy was made worse by years of cover-ups and official failures.
Back in 2020, when Liverpool last won the league, fans weren’t able to gather due to the pandemic. This year’s parade had been long awaited.
Despite the rain, the city was covered in red. Fireworks lit up the sky near the Liver Building, and smoke flares filled the air as fans cheered on their heroes.
In separate statements, Liverpool Football Club and the Premier League expressed their shock and support for those affected.
