Breaking: Four Liverpool Fans Seriously Injured in UK Car Ramming

British authorities have detained a 53-year-old man following a devastating incident that marred Liverpool Football Club’s championship celebrations. The suspect is currently in custody after a van drove into a crowd of fans gathered in central Liverpool on Monday evening, injuring dozens and leaving four people in critical condition.

Merseyside Police confirmed the man’s arrest on Tuesday but have not released his name, in line with standard U.K. practice not to identify individuals until formal charges are brought. Authorities stated that the incident is not being treated as terrorism and there are no other suspects under investigation.

The collision occurred shortly after Liverpool’s Premier League title victory was celebrated with a city-wide parade. The crash took place on Water Street, a central road near the River Mersey that had been filled with supporters wrapped in team colors and memorabilia. The area was quickly cordoned off, and a blue forensic tent was set up as investigators worked through debris left behind by thousands of fans.

Emergency services reported that a total of 47 people were injured. Twenty-seven of those were transported to local hospitals for treatment, while 20 others received care at the scene. No fatalities were confirmed, but officials emphasized that several of the victims remain in serious condition, including four children.

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram stated that four people were critically ill. A spokesperson from the North West Ambulance Service added that four individuals, including a child, became trapped beneath the van and had to be rescued by fire crews using lifting equipment.

According to eyewitness accounts and video footage circulating online, the vehicle entered a street adjacent to the official parade route and drove into a densely packed crowd. One clip showed the van hitting a man, who was thrown into the air, before the vehicle veered deeper into the throng. Witnesses described scenes of panic and chaos as people were struck and pushed along the road.

One eyewitness, Harry Rashid, who was attending the event with his wife and two children, said the vehicle initially hit multiple people, then paused as the crowd approached it. Bystanders attempted to confront the driver by damaging the van’s windows, but the vehicle accelerated again, running over more victims before finally stopping.

The suspect is described by police as a white male from the local area. Authorities believe the decision to release limited details was made to prevent the spread of misinformation, drawing lessons from a previous incident. In a 2024 attack in nearby Southport, inaccurate reports shared online had falsely identified the perpetrator as an asylum-seeker, leading to nationwide unrest and targeted violence.

In response to the latest tragedy, Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the event and commended emergency personnel for their swift response. He expressed sympathy for the victims and emphasized the need for public celebrations to remain safe, particularly for children and families.

The streets of Liverpool had earlier been filled with joy as the club marked its record-equaling 20th top-flight title win. The incident turned a moment of collective pride into a scene of trauma, prompting renewed concerns about event security and crowd safety. Investigations are ongoing, and police are continuing to appeal for eyewitnesses and video evidence to help piece together how the crash occurred.