Police detained the driver of a minivan for allegedly crashing into a group of celebrating Liverpool, United Kingdom, soccer fans following the city’s soccer team’s Premier League Championship win, as reported by the authorities.
The Merseyside Police disclosed that they were looking into a collision in Liverpool city center after receiving a report past 6 p.m. on Monday regarding a car hitting several pedestrians on Water Street.
Police added that the vehicle stopped at the scene and a man was detained.
In a statement, the police urged the public not to make assumptions about the incident on Water Street in Liverpool city center. They also confirmed that the individual in custody is a 53-year-old white British male from the Liverpool area. Investigations are currently underway to determine the events leading up to the accident.
Police asked the public to not share “distressing content” online, but instead to send the footage or information to the Merseyside Police or to Crimestoppers.
Liverpool players on the team bus during the English Premier League winners’ parade in Liverpool, England, Monday. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP)
Rashid told the AP that after the van struck its initial victims, it stopped and the crowd charged the vehicle, smashing its windows.
“But then he put his foot down again and just plowed through the rest of them, he just kept going,” Rashid said, alleging the incident appeared deliberate. “It was horrible. And you could hear the bumps as he was going over the people.”
Police and emergency personnel respond to an incident on Water Street near the Liver Building in Liverpool after a car collided with pedestrians during the Premier League winners’ parade, in Liverpool, England, Monday. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)
“My daughter started screaming and there were people on the ground,” he added. “They were just innocent people, just fans going to enjoy the parade.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
