A tragic incident unfolded in Liverpool City Centre on Monday, May 26, 2025, during the Premier League winners parade when a car collided with multiple pedestrians on Water Street. The impact was around 6 PM and would have drawn a swift response from responding emergency personnel. A combined twenty-seven people were taken to area hospitals. At the same time, twenty others who were injured received treatment at the scene and didn’t require hospitalization.
According to witnesses, scenes of horror and chaos as the vehicle plowed through the jubilant crowd, celebrating their team’s victory. Among the injured were four children, two of whom suffered life-changing injuries. Merseyside Police did not waste time in arresting a 53-year-old British man from Liverpool at the scene. They didn’t wait until the car had fully stopped to act.
Emergency Response and Victims
Emergency services flooded Water Street after witnesses or other members of the public reported the crash. As paramedics rushed critical care to those injured, firefighters cut four people out from under the vehicle, including a young child. The magnitude of the response only further highlighted the gravity of the situation, as thousands showed up to stand with those who were suffering.
Of the twenty-seven people transported to area hospitals, officials said at least two suffered life-threatening injuries. The other victims were treated for a variety of injuries. This underlines just how serious the collision was on what should have been a fun-filled, festive occasion.
Harry Rashid had been on the scene with his family when the collision occurred. He described in detail the frightening seconds before the train wreck.
“We were walking up Water Street with my family. I saw this vehicle… it ploughed into a few people, then came to a stop.” – Harry Rashid
Rashid recounted the pandemonium that followed, mentioning the fear and uncertainty felt by onlookers.
“My kids were with me and they started screaming. We were just in a state of confusion.” – Harry Rashid
Reactions from Officials
The incident raised the immediate ire of national leaders. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper pictured these scenes as “truly shocking.” On social media, she stressed the immediate need for complete investigations into how such a tragedy could occur in the middle of a public celebration.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was personally lobbying on behalf of the victims with Liverpool City Region Mayor and former rail minister Steve Rotheram. They shared how it has affected the community, and they stood in solidarity with those most impacted.
In a Jax Daily Record op-ed, local resident and civic activist Jenny Sims expressed frustration over the circumstances, offering prayers for victims and their families.
“My thoughts are with all those injured in tonight’s horrific incident, their family and friends, and all of those affected by the terrible tragedy.” – Jenny Sims
Witnesses were shocked at the driver’s behavior, and Rashid has given extremely compelling descriptions of what occurred.
“I initially thought he had gone into the crowd by mistake because he had stopped. He was trickling along, then he put his foot down,” – Harry Rashid
Emergency responders did even more heroic work to contain the wake of destruction. At the same time, witnesses rushed to the scene, driven by indignation and a protective instinct.
“Because there was a crowd of people around him, there was anger; they surged towards his car to try and get him out or smash the windows.” – Harry Rashid
Investigation Underway
State and local authorities are investigating the collision to figure out how it happened and why. Eyewitness accounts indicate that the driver sped up intentionally, after coming to a stop in front of the crowd.
Rashid recounted seeing the horrible scene unfold as people tried to flee the path of the vehicle.
“It was so loud. People sounded desperate. And then we looked at the window and we saw the car run over people.” – Natasha Rinaldi
The National Transportation Safety Board’s continuing investigation will to determine if any mechanical failure or other human element played a role in this tragic incident.
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