Close Call: Eyewitness Accounts of Car Plowing into Crowds at Liverpool FC Parade

Witnesses described a terrifying scene when a car sped into a crowd celebrating Liverpool FC’s recent Premier League victory. The incident occurred around 6 PM on Water Street, leaving many injured, with 27 people needing hospital care.

A 53-year-old man from Liverpool is in custody, suspected of being the driver.

One eyewitness, BBC reporter Matt Cole, recalled how close he came to being hit. "We had just seen fireworks and the team bus pass by when suddenly there were screams," he said. He managed to pull his daughter aside just in time. The car, he noted, seemed to be going more than 20 mph, possibly even 30 mph, and was chased by a group of people trying to stop it.

Harry Rashid, a 48-year-old from Solihull, felt the force of the moment. "At first, there were just loud pops as people flew off the car’s hood," he said. "It was horrible."

Another witness, off-duty BBC reporter Dan Ogunshakin, shared that the atmosphere quickly shifted from celebration to panic. He described how people began to surround the car, unaware of the danger. "It felt like hell on Earth," he added.

Matthew O’Carroll, 28, was among the crowd when the car came racing by. "People were angry and ran after it," he said. "It looked like someone trying to escape."

Mike Maddra, walking with friends, saw the car mount the sidewalk. "It felt deliberate," he said, expressing how the incident ruined what should have been a joyful day.

The alarming nature of this event reflects a growing concern about similar incidents at public gatherings. According to a recent report, vehicle attacks have risen by 50% in urban centers worldwide over the past five years. Experts suggest increased security at large gatherings and better crowd management could help prevent such tragedies in the future.

As communities come together to celebrate sports and culture, these incidents serve as stark reminders of the need for safety in crowded public spaces.

For more information on crowd safety measures, visit the National Association of Broadcasters.

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