Celebrations in Liverpool turned to chaos and horror on Monday after a car drove into a crowd of jubilant football fans during a parade to mark the club’s Premier League title win, hospitalising 27 people — including four children — with two in serious condition.

Police confirmed the arrest of a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area, believed to be the driver of the vehicle. Authorities stressed the incident is not being treated as terrorism-related and believe it to be an isolated case.

“We are not currently looking for anyone else in relation to this incident,” said temporary Deputy Chief Constable Jenny Sims. “This is not being treated as terrorism.”

Soccer Football – Premier League – Liverpool Victory Parade – Liverpool, Britain – May 26, 2025 A person is taken away on a stretcher after multiple people were hit by a car during the Victory parade Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

Panic Amid the Parade

According to Reuters, the attack occurred just minutes after the open-top bus carrying Liverpool players and staff had passed through the packed city centre, where hundreds of thousands of fans had gathered to witness the long-awaited celebration. Liverpool last claimed the league title during the COVID-19 pandemic, when public celebrations were prohibited.

Eyewitness accounts described moments of sheer panic as the car ploughed through the crowd.

“We only realised something was wrong when people started screaming,” a witness named Chelsea told BBC Radio. “That was the only reason we looked up — thankfully we did and managed to jump out of the way just in time.”

Videos circulating on social media showed the vehicle speeding through the crowd, tossing people into the air. After the vehicle came to a halt, furious fans swarmed it, smashing its windows before police intervened to protect the driver.

Soccer Football – Premier League – Liverpool Victory Parade – Liverpool, Britain – May 26, 2025 A paramedic carries a child after multiple people were hit by a car during the Victory parade Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

Victims and Emergency Response

Ambulance officials reported that 20 people were treated at the scene and 27 were taken to hospital, including four children. One child and one adult were said to be in serious condition. Four people were trapped beneath the vehicle and had to be rescued by firefighters.

A Reuters photographer on the scene described emergency responders rushing to carry victims on stretchers and debris scattered across the street. The chaotic aftermath stood in stark contrast to the joyous scenes moments earlier.

Community and Political Reaction

Liverpool city council leader Liam Robinson described the incident as casting “a very dark shadow over what had been a joyous day.” Prime Minister Keir Starmer also commented on social media, calling the scenes “appalling” and offering thoughts to those affected.

Soccer Football – Premier League – Liverpool Victory Parade – Liverpool, Britain – May 26, 2025 Emergency services at the scene after multiple people were hit by a car during the Victory parade REUTERS/Phil Noble TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Liverpool FC posted on X, saying it was in direct contact with police: “Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this serious incident.”

Managing Public Speculation

Authorities were quick to provide a description of the arrested individual — a move former Metropolitan Police Chief Superintendent Dal Babu told the BBC was likely aimed at preventing misinformation or racialised speculation on social media.

The Merseyside Police, who also led the response to last year’s Southport tragedy that sparked days of rioting due to false online speculation, appear determined to maintain transparency in this latest crisis.