Witnesses have described the "horrendous" moment a car "rammed" into crowds of people who were attending Liverpool FC's victory parade following their Premier League win. Merseyside Police said a number of pedestrians were hit by the vehicle in Water Street, Liverpool just after 18:00 BST. A 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area was arrested, police said. One eyewitness, BBC reporter Matt Cole, said the car missed him and his family "by literally inches". "We had just moments before watched fireworks going off, the celebrations of the Liverpool bus passing us on the Strand," he said. He said an ambulance had just made its way through the "dense" crowd he was part of on Water Street, when "there were screams ahead of us and suddenly this dark blue car just came through the crowd". "It just wasn't stopping - I managed to grab my daughter who was with me and jump out of the way. "It missed myself and my family by literally inches." He said the ambulance acted like a "natural barrier... that slowed the car down", but that it had "no intention - it appeared - of stopping". He added that the car looked to be travelling at "more than 20 [mph]", but that he could not be sure it was not 30mph. "As it passed me, it was being chased by a group of men who were trying to bang on the side of it and throw things at it," he explained, adding that the rear windshield had been "completely smashed in". Having moved to safety down a side street, he saw police "running from all over, ambulances, police vans... more and more ambulances, more and more police vans - at one point then an entire squad of armed police cars stopped and people jumped out with rifles and again big medical packs on and began running towards the scene of the incident." He said his initial assumption was that the driver just wanted to "barge through crowds because they didn't want to wait". "But suddenly then, the speed registered and the shouts of the people and the screams of the people registered, and at that point, yeah, adrenaline very much just kicks in". Harry Rashid, 48, from Solihull, was at the parade with his wife and two young daughters when he witnessed the car pull up before it "just rammed into all the people at the side of us". He told PA news agency: "It was extremely fast. Initially, we just heard the pop, pop, pop of people just being knocked off the bonnet of a car.... I saw people on lying on the ground, people unconscious. "It was horrendous. So horrendous." Another witness, Mike Maddra, was walking with a group of friends, when he saw a car "speeding up" and hitting pedestrians. He said the "car turned left, mounted pavement, come towards us and runs towards the buildings". He added that he thought he saw two people being hit, and that "it looked deliberate". "It has just ruined the day really," he said.
'It missed us by inches': Witnesses describe car driving into crowds at Liverpool FC parade
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Car Drives Into Crowd at Liverpool FC Victory Parade, Causing Injuries"
Bbc News
6.8
TruthLens AI Summary
Witnesses at the Liverpool FC victory parade described a shocking incident when a car drove into crowds, leaving several pedestrians injured. The event occurred shortly after 6:00 PM BST on Water Street, as fans celebrated the team's Premier League win. Eyewitness Matt Cole recounted the harrowing moment, stating that the vehicle missed him and his family by mere inches. He noted that they had just witnessed fireworks and the celebratory bus passing by when chaos erupted. The car, described as dark blue, sped through the crowd at a significant speed, seemingly with no intention of stopping. Cole managed to grab his daughter and dodge the vehicle, which he estimated was traveling at over 20 miles per hour. He observed that the car was being pursued by a group of men attempting to stop it, which added to the chaotic scene. After the incident, emergency services flooded the area, with police and ambulances responding quickly to the distress calls. The sight of armed police and medical personnel rushing to help heightened the gravity of the situation, as onlookers attempted to process the frightening experience.
Another witness, Harry Rashid, described the moment the car collided with people nearby, recalling the horrific sound of individuals being struck. He was at the parade with his family when the car suddenly accelerated into the crowd, leading to immediate panic and confusion. Rashid's account detailed the aftermath, with people lying on the ground, some unconscious, and the atmosphere turned from celebration to horror in an instant. Similarly, Mike Maddra, who was with friends, saw the vehicle speed towards them and noted that it appeared to intentionally target pedestrians. His impression was that the incident was deliberate, leaving many witnesses feeling that the joyous day had been irrevocably tainted by the violence of the event. The police have arrested a 53-year-old local man in connection with the incident, as investigations are underway to determine the motives behind the alarming act during what should have been a festive occasion.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article reports on a frightening incident during a Liverpool FC victory parade where a car drove into crowds, injuring several pedestrians. Eyewitness accounts highlight the chaos and panic that ensued, with police responding rapidly to the scene. The narrative focuses on the immediate reactions of those present, emphasizing the severity and potential danger of the situation.
Potential Motives Behind the Publication
This news aims to inform the public about a significant and alarming event that took place during a celebratory occasion. The detailed eyewitness accounts serve to heighten the sense of urgency and concern, potentially encouraging discussions about public safety during large gatherings.
Public Perception and Sentiment
By focusing on the chaotic moments and eyewitness horror, the article seeks to evoke fear and concern among readers regarding crowd safety at public events. The vivid descriptions of near misses and the immediate police response amplify the perceived danger, shaping public sentiment towards a heightened sense of caution in similar future scenarios.
Information Omission and Bias
There may be elements of the event that are not fully explored, such as the motivations behind the driver’s actions or the broader context of public safety at large events. While the article provides a detailed account of the incident, it could lead readers to overlook other factors or incidents that may have contributed to the chaotic scene.
Manipulative Potential
The article has a moderate level of manipulative potential, primarily through its language and choice of details. Phrases like "horrendous moment" and "screams ahead of us" are designed to provoke a strong emotional response. This framing can influence how readers perceive the incident and the need for stricter safety measures at public events.
Credibility of the Report
The report appears credible, relying on eyewitness testimonies and police statements. However, the absence of further context about the driver or the investigation might lead to an incomplete understanding of the situation. It’s essential for readers to be aware of the potential biases in the narrative while interpreting the details.
Impact on Society and Other Sectors
Such incidents can lead to increased scrutiny of public safety measures during large events, influencing local government policies and crowd control strategies. Economically, businesses around the event may suffer if public perception shifts towards a lack of safety, potentially affecting attendance at future events.
Target Audience
The article likely resonates more with communities that prioritize public safety and are concerned about recent trends in crowd-related incidents. Sports fans and local residents may be particularly engaged, as the incident occurred during a high-profile event celebrating a local team.
Market Implications
This news may not have direct implications for the stock market or global economy; however, companies involved in event organization or security services could see fluctuations in interest or concern from investors depending on the public’s response to safety at large events.
Geopolitical Relevance
While the incident is localized, it reflects broader concerns about public safety in gatherings, a topic that resonates globally in the context of recent events in various countries. It underscores ongoing debates about security measures at public events, which align with current global discussions on safety and community well-being.
Use of AI in Reporting
It’s plausible that AI tools could assist in organizing eyewitness accounts or generating reports based on data collected from social media. However, without concrete evidence of AI involvement in this specific report, it's difficult to determine its influence on the narrative. The language and structure seem human-crafted, focusing on emotional engagement rather than purely factual reporting.
Considering all aspects, the article presents a credible, albeit emotionally charged, account of a distressing incident that raises important questions about safety at public events.