Twenty-seven people have been taken to hospital, including children, after a car hit pedestrians during Liverpool's English Premier League victory parade in the city centre, David Kitchen of the North West Ambulance Service has said.
Speaking at a press conference, Mr Kitchen said 20 people were treated at the scene, with four children among the injured.
He added that two of those taken to hospital, including one of the children, suffered serious injuries.
Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said the Bank Holiday Monday incident was not being treated as terrorism and was believed to be an isolated incident following the arrest of a 53-year-old man at the scene.
Police said the vehicle stopped at the scene and confirmed "the man arrested is a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area".
Watch: Merseyside Police say Liverpool incident 'not being treated as terrorism'
Witnesses described a people carrier "ploughing into people" as they celebrated Liverpool's win at around 6pm.
Officers surrounded the car as witnesses attempted to stop the driver, who was eventually detained by police.
Emergency services were quickly on the scene and several casualties were taken away by ambulances.
Liverpool City Council leader Liam Robinson urged people not to share footage on social media of the incident.
Mr Robinson said the incident "cast a very dark shadow over what had been a joyous day for the city".
"I would like to pay tribute to the emergency services who responded to help those who were hurt and to our NHS staff treating them in hospital," he added.
He urged the public "not to share the horrifying footage of the incident on social media".
"Please if you have information forward it to Merseyside Police to help them with their investigation," he said.
Mr Robinson said the council "are working closely with Merseyside Police to support their investigation, and with other relevant organisations to make sure those affected get the appropriate support".
"We won't be commenting any further but will provide relevant updates as and when we know more and it is appropriate to," he said.
The chief fire officer of the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters had to rescue four people, including a child, who were trapped under the car.
Nick Searle told the same press conference his service was alerted to the incident at 6:07pm, adding: "We immediately mobilised three fire engines to Water Street and were in attendance in four minutes.
"On arrival, the crews were met with numerous injured... and four persons trapped under a vehicle," he said.
"Our crews rapidly lifted the vehicle, removed three adults and one child from beneath and passed them to our ambulance service colleagues," he added.
Mr Searle said firefighters then worked with "emergency service partners to ensure casualties received medical treatment and transport to hospital as quickly as possible".
One witness, 28-year-old Matthew O'Carroll, from Runcorn, said the back window of the car was smashed in the incident.
"We were walking up Water Street and approaching the top of the road and the vehicle came past a parked police van at a decent speed.
"People managed to get out of the way as he was beeping as he went through but as he went past, people were obviously very angry and so started running after the car.
"The back window of the car was already smashed.
"I thought that once it went past us, it was just someone that was trying to get away from something and would slow down when he got to more people."
Man arrested after car hits pedestrians at Liverpool parade
Harry Rashid, 48, from Solihull, was at the parade with his wife and two young daughters when he witnessed what happened.
"This grey people carrier just pulled up from the right and just rammed into all the people at the side of us.
He added: "It was extremely fast. Initially, we just heard the pop, pop, pop of people just being knocked off the bonnet of a car."
Another witness, who was walking with a group of friends, said he saw a car "speeding up" and hitting pedestrians.
Mike Maddra said the "car turned left, mounted pavement, come towards us and runs towards the buildings".
"We got out the way and it was speeding up."
Mr Maddra said he thought that he saw two people being hit, adding "it looked deliberate" and "it has just ruined the day really".
British Prime Minister Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the scenes as "appalling" while Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said: "The pictures emerging from Liverpool are deeply worrying".
The scenes in Liverpool are appalling — my thoughts are with all those injured or affected.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) May 26, 2025
I want to thank the police and emergency services for their swift and ongoing response to this shocking incident.
I'm being kept updated on developments and ask that we give the police…
A Merseyside Police spokesperson said: "We would ask people not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding tonight's incident on Water Street in Liverpool city centre.
"We can confirm the man arrested is a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area.
"Extensive enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances leading up to the collision.
"We would ask people not to share distressing content online but to send the footage or information directly to us."
Liverpool Football Club held an open-top bus parade to celebrate its Premier League triumph, with fans lining the streets along the 16km route.
City Councillor John Hughes estimated that in excess of one million people were in attendance, surpassing the 750,000 present for the 2019 Champions League parade.
Liverpool FC said that it was in contact with police and would "offer our full support to the emergency services and local authorities who are dealing with this incident".
A spokesman for the English Premier League said: "Everyone at the Premier League is shocked by the appalling events in Liverpool this evening, and our heartfelt thoughts go out to all those injured and affected.
"We have been in contact with Liverpool FC and have offered our full support following this serious incident."
We are in direct contact with Merseyside Police regarding the incident on Water Street which happened towards the end of the trophy parade earlier this evening.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 26, 2025
Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this serious incident.
We will continue to offer… pic.twitter.com/xreiSqiEnL
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris said: "Our thoughts are with the people of Liverpool this evening.
"This was supposed to be a night of celebration for this city and Liverpool fans.
"Instead we are witnessing some devastating scenes unfold.
"My officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are keeping me up to date with developments."
