“The incident is not being treated as a terrorist attack,” said British police, assessing the crazy drive of a 53-year-old driver on Monday evening in Liverpool.

As a video shows, the driver steered his car several times into the densest crowd of a parade of Liverpool fans. When the car came to a halt, police officers had to protect the driver from vigilante justice by eyewitnesses.

A car drove into a crowd of Liverpool FC fans – an eyewitness video suggests that this was not an accident. Numerous people were left lying on the ground, including children.

The incident occurred at around 6 p.m. local time on Water Street in central Liverpool, while tens of thousands of fans were celebrating their team’s Premier League triumph. According to authorities, 27 people were taken to hospital. Four of them are children, and two people – including a child and an adult – are in critical condition. Firefighters had to free four injured people from under the vehicle.

Driver arrested – investigation ongoing

Immediately after the incident, police arrested a 53-year-old man from the Liverpool area. He had left the vehicle after the collision and was overpowered by emergency services who arrived at the scene within seconds. They had to protect the driver from the angry crowd – the man was in danger of being lynched.

“We are currently treating this as an isolated incident and are not looking for any other suspects,” Deputy Police Chief Jenny Sims told the press. “The incident is not being treated as terrorism.” The investigation into the cause of the incident is ongoing. It is not yet clear whether this was a tragic accident or a deliberate act. The scene was cordoned off and numerous emergency services were at the scene. A rescue helicopter was also deployed. The North West Ambulance Service said: “Our top priority is to get medical care to the injured as quickly as possible.”

Politics, club, and league shaken

Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke of “horrific scenes” and thanked the police and emergency services for their swift action. “I am being kept informed about the investigation and ask that the police be given the space they need to do their work,” he wrote on the X platform. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper also expressed her dismay: “Truly shocking – my thoughts are with everyone affected.”

Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram spoke of a “difficult day for our city region,” but emphasized: “We stand together.”

Liverpool FC also responded to the incident: “Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragic incident,” the club said. It would offer the authorities every possible support in the investigation.

The Premier League also expressed its deep sadness: “Everyone in the league is shocked by these horrific events,” it said in an official statement.

The city of Liverpool is in shock after a day that was supposed to be a festive occasion. Police are asking witnesses to come forward and have promised to release more information as the investigation progresses.

Image: APA