**Nine-Year-Old Among Dozens Injured in Liverpool Trophy Parade Incident**
A devastating incident took place during Liverpool FC’s Premier League trophy parade on Monday 26 May, resulting in injuries to 79 people, including four children, Merseyside Police have confirmed. One of the youngest victims has been identified as a nine-year-old, highlighting the gravity of the situation that unfolded during what should have been a joyous celebration for countless Liverpool fans.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the collision that occurred on Water Street, just after 6pm, when a car drove into crowds of supporters who had lined the streets to mark Liverpool’s historic twentieth Premier League victory. Police apprehended a 53-year-old man from West Derby, Liverpool, who remains in custody on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving, and driving under the influence of drugs.
In their statement this week, police revealed that those injured in the incident ranged in age from nine to 78, confirming all were British nationals. Officers disclosed that as of Wednesday, seven of the casualties were still receiving treatment in hospital, their conditions described as stable. The police have chosen not to specify which substance the suspect is thought to have consumed prior to the incident, stating, “We wouldn’t go into this detail at this stage of the investigation.”
The circumstances around how the vehicle accessed the busy parade route are still being pieced together. According to Merseyside Police, the car followed an ambulance that was responding to a medical emergency nearby, taking advantage of a temporary lifting of roadblocks. There had been a partial closure on Dale Street, designed to funnel traffic away from Water Street, with traffic cones and a flatbed truck in place to prevent unauthorised vehicles gaining access. Despite these precautions, the suspect’s car entered Water Street, where thousands had gathered.
The crash occurred as supporters awaited the team bus on The Strand, a major city artery adjacent to the parade route, dense with people celebrating what many see as a defining achievement in the club’s history. Eyewitness accounts depict the confusion and panic that ensued. One fan, Chris Lewis, who had travelled from Mountain Ash in Wales to attend the festivities, recounted how the car “came out of nowhere” on roads assumed to be closed. “We thought, ‘This road should be closed – what is this car doing here?’ It was pretty strange and it just kept moving,” he said. Mr Lewis described how he shouted at his son to jump to safety, narrowly avoiding the oncoming vehicle as it sped forwards erratically.
As investigations continue, Merseyside Police are permitted to detain and question the suspect until Thursday evening. The force is working to piece together a timeline of events and determine whether failings in traffic management may have played a role in how the car reached a protected area congested with families and fans.
In the wake of the tragedy, community efforts to support those affected have rapidly gathered momentum. A fundraising campaign, The Liverpool Spirit Appeal, was launched by the Community Foundation for Merseyside in cooperation with Liverpool City Council and Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services (LCVS). The drive has already secured over £30,000, including a significant £10,000 pledge from the Jamie Carragher 23 Foundation, founded by the former Liverpool FC player. The initiative aims to provide both practical and psychological support to the victims, as well as assistance to local organisations offering aid in the aftermath of the chaos.
Events like these, which should unite communities in shared celebration, can be deeply marred by a single moment of violence or recklessness. While Liverpool looks to come together to support those affected, serious questions remain for the authorities regarding public safety at large-scale events, especially where vulnerable families and children are involved.
As investigations develop and more facts emerge, there will be sustained interest in how both legal and civilian actors respond to a calamity that has left lasting scars, not just on those injured but on the wider Liverpool and football-loving communities. Updates are expected as police complete their enquiries and the city mobilises around those impacted by this deeply unsettling incident.