Liverpool Victory Parade Turns Tragic: Dozens Injured in Minivan Crash

In a shocking turn of events in Liverpool, United Kingdom, a 53-year-old local man was arrested Monday after driving a minivan into a jubilant crowd of soccer fans celebrating Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory. The incident, which unfolded on Water Street in the city center, left dozens injured, including four children, one seriously hurt. Authorities have ruled out terrorism but are diving deep into the circumstances of this chaotic collision.

North West Air Ambulance reported that 27 people were hospitalized, with two suffering severe injuries. Another 20 received on-site treatment for minor injuries. Firefighters worked heroically, lifting the van to free three adults and a child trapped beneath it. A cyclist paramedic narrowly escaped injury after being struck by the vehicle.

Witness Harry Rashid, who was at the parade with his family, described the horrifying moment the van barreled through the crowd, just feet from where he stood. "It was like a nightmare unfolding in slow motion—pop, pop, pop as people were knocked off the hood," he told reporters. The vehicle briefly stopped, only to accelerate again, plowing through the crowd in what some witnesses believe was a deliberate act.

The tragedy marred an otherwise joyous day, with tens of thousands of fans braving rainy weather to cheer Liverpool’s players parading the Premier League trophy. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his dismay, calling the scenes appalling and praising the swift response of emergency services.

Merseyside Police are urging the public to avoid sharing distressing footage online and to provide any relevant information to aid their investigation. As Liverpool reels from this tragedy, the incident casts a shadow over the city’s moment of triumph, reminding us how quickly celebration can turn to sorrow.