Police Granted More Time to Question Liverpool Suspect

Police have been granted additional time to question a man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a shocking incident during Liverpool’s Premier League victory parade. The celebration, which drew hundreds of thousands of jubilant fans into the city centre, was marred by chaos when a vehicle drove into a crowd gathered along Water Street.

The incident took place just after 18:00 BST on Monday evening. A Ford Galaxy entered the parade route and struck multiple people, leaving a trail of injuries in its wake. Merseyside Police have confirmed that seven people remain in hospital, some with serious injuries, while the number of overall casualties has now risen to 79. Initially, police reported 65 injuries, but that figure increased as more victims came forward.

The driver of the vehicle, a 53-year-old man from the West Derby area of Liverpool, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder. He was also detained on suspicion of dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drugs. Police said they have now been given extended time to question the suspect and will hold him in custody until at least Thursday as investigations continue.

Authorities revealed that the Ford Galaxy had followed an ambulance responding to a medical emergency — a report of a heart attack — through the parade barriers and onto Water Street. The suspect’s motive remains unclear, but officers have confirmed that the incident is not being treated as terror-related. Within two hours of the arrest, Merseyside Police identified the suspect as a white British male and urged the public not to speculate while investigations are ongoing.

Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson, who is leading the investigation, provided an update on the status of those affected and the progress being made by officers.

“I’m pleased to report that the number of people in hospital is gradually decreasing as they begin to recover from what was an awful and frightening incident,” she said. “We continue to support those still receiving treatment and their families. As part of our enquiries, we’ve now identified additional individuals who were injured but hadn’t initially sought medical attention.

Police Granted More Time to Question Suspect After Liverpool Parade Crash

Det Supt Wilson added that detectives were making “significant progress” in piecing together the events that led to the crash. An extensive review of CCTV footage from across Liverpool city centre is underway, with officers working to track the movements of the Ford Galaxy before it entered the restricted area.

“We are analysing camera footage from multiple locations to determine exactly how the suspect got onto the parade route and whether there were any opportunities to intercept the vehicle before the collision occurred,” she said.

Water Street, which had been cordoned off in the immediate aftermath of the crash, was reopened to the public after police completed their forensic investigation and council teams cleaned the area overnight. Flowers, handwritten notes, and cards have since been placed at the scene as tributes to those hurt, offering a stark reminder of the day’s tragic turn.

Despite the sombre conclusion, the day had begun in celebration. Liverpool fans had turned out in their hundreds of thousands to line the 10-mile (16km) parade route that snaked through the heart of the city. The occasion marked the Reds’ second-ever Premier League title and their 20th top-flight league crown, putting them on par with historic rivals Manchester United.

The event had been planned as a family-friendly celebration of sporting achievement, and for most of the day, it lived up to that promise — until the evening crash cast a shadow over the festivities.

Merseyside Police are continuing to appeal to members of the public for help. They are urging anyone who witnessed the incident or who may have captured mobile phone footage or dashcam recordings to come forward to assist with the ongoing investigation.

“This is a live and complex case, and every piece of information helps,” said Det Supt Wilson. “We are determined to understand exactly what happened and ensure justice is served for those affected.”