Minivan Plows Into Liverpool Premier League Victory Parade Crowd, Injuring Over 45
- Victor Nwoko
- May 26
- 3 min read
A 53-year-old British man drove a minivan into a crowd of Liverpool football fans celebrating their Premier League title on Monday, injuring more than 45 people and turning jubilation into chaos and horror. Authorities confirmed the suspect, who acted alone, has been arrested and the incident is not being treated as terrorism.
The crash occurred during the final moments of a celebratory parade in Liverpool, as hundreds of thousands of fans, many draped in red scarves and jerseys, gathered to mark the team’s record-tying 20th top-flight championship. A gray minivan suddenly turned onto the parade route and plowed through the crowd, striking a man and tossing him into the air before veering into a larger group. Shocking video footage showed the vehicle forcing its way through fans, pushing bodies along the street before finally stopping.
Emergency services responded immediately. Twenty-seven people were taken to nearby hospitals, including two in serious condition. Another 20 received on-site treatment for minor injuries. Among the victims were at least four children. Firefighters had to lift the van to rescue four individuals, including one child, who were trapped underneath. A paramedic on a bicycle was struck but escaped injury.
Witnesses described scenes of panic and confusion. Harry Rashid, who was present with his wife and two young daughters, said the vehicle was moving at extreme speed. “Initially, we just heard the pop, pop, pop of people being knocked off the bonnet,” he recalled. Rashid said the crowd tried to stop the vehicle, smashing its windows, but the driver accelerated again, continuing to run people over. “It was horrible,” he said. “They were just innocent people, just fans going to enjoy the parade.”
Peter Jones, a fan who had traveled from the Isle of Man, reported hearing frantic beeping before the van barreled through the crowd. “People were chasing it and trying to stop him… people were being treated on the side of the road,” he said.
Liverpool City Council leader Liam Robinson expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, saying, “It has cast a very dark shadow over what had been a joyous day for the city.”
Authorities are urging the public not to speculate or circulate distressing images or misinformation online. The suspect, described as a white British man, is in custody. Police are conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The attack occurred against the backdrop of heightened sensitivity in the UK, following last summer’s violent stabbing spree in Southport, which led to a wave of misinformation, xenophobic riots, and attacks on asylum seekers. Officials are being cautious to prevent a similar outcome.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the incident, calling it appalling. “Everyone, especially children, should be able to celebrate their heroes without this horror. Liverpool stands together, and the whole country stands with Liverpool,” he said.
Liverpool FC’s history is deeply marked by tragedy. The club’s last public celebration was thwarted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Monday’s parade was the first opportunity in years for fans to gather in massive numbers. The celebration, despite rainy weather, featured fans scaling traffic lights and cheering from rooftops as players traveled a 10-mile route on buses surrounded by red smoke and fireworks from the Royal Liver Building.
Liverpool FC and the Premier League issued brief statements expressing their shock and sending thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families.
Comments