**Previously Unseen CCTV Traces Liverpool Parade Car’s Path Leading to Crowd Crash**
Freshly surfaced CCTV recordings have illuminated the harrowing moments leading up to a car colliding with scores of Liverpool FC fans during the club’s Premier League title celebrations. The incident, which unfolded on Monday evening, 26 May, resulted in injuries to 79 individuals and has prompted widespread debate around event safety and traffic control.
Footage shared with the public reveals a dark-coloured Ford Galaxy threading its way through the city centre before mounting Water Street, where thousands had gathered to mark Liverpool’s historic league triumph. The recordings provide a near-complete visual trail of the vehicle, beginning from Dale Street’s eastern end close to the Queensway Tunnel at around 5:56pm. Notably, the galaxy’s progress coincided with that of an ambulance responding to a medical emergency, allowing the car to pass through road closures meant to secure the parade route.
Questions have arisen as to whether the presence of the ambulance and the removal of temporary barriers contributed to the driver’s ability to infiltrate the dense crowd. Observers report the Ford Galaxy closely followed the emergency vehicle, effectively bypassing limits on general traffic and accessing areas brimming with jubilant supporters. At one point, footage shows a frightening near-miss as the car narrowly avoids a pedestrian crossing the busy thoroughfare.
Mobile phone videos from other vantage points along Dale Street document the subsequent build-up of parade-goers returning from the main event. These clips show the Galaxy manoeuvring through thick streams of pedestrians, navigating roadways more characteristic of a street festival than a standard day’s city traffic. Just minutes before the eventual crash, the car is captured pushing slowly through a sea of supporters near public transport links such as Moorfields Station.
As investigators continue piecing together the timeline, local traders have voiced grave concerns about how traffic was managed during the celebratory parade attended by an estimated one million people. “It defies belief that vehicles other than official emergency responders were allowed on Dale Street during an event of this scale,” remarked Gareth Morgan, who owns a business along the affected route. His sentiments reflect a growing consensus among residents and retailers that safety precautions were insufficiently robust on the day.
Calls for accountability have been swift and unequivocal. Cllr Carl Cashman, leader of Liverpool’s political opposition, has demanded an independent inquiry into the series of decisions that preceded the chaos. The council has yet to comment extensively on these demands, but scrutiny over event management and public safety protections is expected to intensify in the coming weeks.
Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims addressed the media, defending the force’s planning and response. She asserted that comprehensive road closures and a traffic management plan were enforced, with adjustments made for emergency situations. “There was no intelligence to suggest an incident like this would occur,” ACC Sims added, stressing the extraordinary scale and unpredictability of the event.
Merseyside Police have confirmed that investigations are active and ongoing. At present, a 53-year-old man from West Derby remains in custody as detectives explore the full sequence of events. Of those injured, 50 required hospital treatment and seven remained under medical care as of the latest police update. Among those affected were families, including parents with a baby in a pushchair, highlighting the indiscriminate impact of the tragedy.
In the immediate aftermath, emergency services swiftly adapted to the situation, transforming a nearby restaurant into a triage centre to treat the wounded. Authorities also established a forensic tent at the scene to collect and analyse evidence. The streets were eventually reopened late Tuesday after extensive cleanup, with locals leaving floral tributes and messages of support for those recovering.
Detective Chief Superintendent Karen Jaundrill emphasised the scale of the investigation, outlining efforts to secure and review CCTV from across Liverpool. “We remain committed to understanding exactly how and why this incident unfolded,” DCS Jaundrill said, encouraging anyone with further information or footage to come forward.
Although Liverpool’s triumph should have been an unmitigated celebration, the collision has cast a sombre shadow over the city. Community leaders, emergency workers, and residents are now united in seeking clarity, justice, and improved safety for future events, hoping lessons are learned and that those injured make a swift and full recovery.