‘It was just horrendous’: Witnesses describe harrowing details of Liverpool parade car crash

Dozens of people have recalled harrowing experiences at the Liverpool parade car crash after a vehicle barreled through thousands of football fans following the club’s Premier League victory. The harrowing ordeal happened on Water Street yesterday, with authorities being alerted to the incident at 6.07 pm.

“This had been a joyous day in Liverpool with hundreds of thousands of people lining the streets to celebrate Liverpool Football Club’s victory parade. A number of people have been injured and were taken to the hospital. In addition, a large number of people of all ages were treated at the scene, but did not require hospital treatment,” Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims confirmed in a statement.

A 53-year-old white British man from Liverpool was arrested in connection with the Liverpool parade car crash attack, with 20 people being treated at the scene and a further 27 being taken to the hospital. Though it’s still a developing situation, witnesses have since spoken to publications about their experiences.

Crowds began to smash the windows

48-year-old Harry Rashid was attending the parade with his wife and two daughters when the car came barrelling “10 feet away from us” on the “very narrow” street.

He told the Liverpool Echo: “Then he stalled for a few seconds, probably about 10 seconds. Then the crowd that was a bit further back started rushing at him, trying to smash the windows. But then the car just ploughed through the rest of them, it just kept going. It was horrible.

Most Read

Police release statement after influencer Emilie Kiser’s son tragically drowns in pool

Julianne Moore, Milly Alcock and Meghann Fahy explain the ending of Netflix’s Sirens

Paul is apparently dating someone after MAFS Australia and erm, you might recognise her

“Then my daughter started screaming and there were people on the ground. They were just innocent people, just fans going to enjoy the parade. There were hundreds and thousands of us there because this is probably the busiest part of Liverpool. We were shocked, we couldn’t believe it.”

He further noted how emergency services arrived at the scene within “seconds”, adding: “I saw people lying on the ground. It was horrendous. So horrendous.”

The car missed one bystander by inches

Speaking to the BBC about the Liverpool parade car crash attack, reporter Matt Cole recalled how the car missed his family by mere inches as it slammed through the packed street.

“We had just moments before watched fireworks going off, the celebrations of the Liverpool bus passing us on the Strand,” he said, recalling how he heard screams before seeing the vehicle. “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.”

Matt Cole also noticed parade-goers attempting to stop the car, adding: “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.”

Another woman said the car ‘skimmed’ her

4 children were among nearly 50 people injured after a car ploughed into a crowd of football supporters during Liverpool’s Premier League

The driver, a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area, was arrested at the scene#LiverpoolFC #liverpoolparad #liverpoolattack pic.twitter.com/QQhdCptLbL

— Kedar (@Kedar_speaks88) May 27, 2025

Also in the interview with the BBC, Chelsea noted how the car was “centimetres away” from her, a friend, and her daughter. They were shocked but “didn’t know the gravity of the situation at this point.”

“All of a sudden we heard screaming and beeping. I grabbed my friend, she grabbed her daughter and it skimmed past us,” she told BBC Radio 5 Live. “We saw people chasing the car with the windows smashed. People were banging on a police riot van and asking for help.”

Someone watching TV heard the sounds from outside

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… pic.twitter.com/Ls6z4VXN05

— Merseyside Police (@MerseyPolice) May 26, 2025

Natasha Rinaldi was watching the parade from her living room when she heard a “loud” sound from outside on the street. Soon enough, she was hearing screams.

“It was so loud. People sounded desperate. And then we looked out the window and we saw the car (had) run over people. Then people started rushing to go after the driver and they tried to break the car. The police did everything to block and to push people away,” she told the publication.

“We could just hear screams and screams. We were very confused. Some of my friends were down there, and the car was so near them. It was a horrible scene; nobody was expecting it.”

Another person said people were being treated in the road

Disturbing scenes from the Liverpool incident, prayers and thoughts with their affected. #liverpoolattack
pic.twitter.com/x1kd9pqXTi

— Bashir Gharwal غروال (@bashir_gharwall) May 26, 2025

As emergency services arrived at the chaotic scene, the injured were being treated in the middle of the road. One person, who was thankfully unharmed by the Liverpool parade car crash, spoke to The Express about the incident.

“Police and medics ran past us, and people were being treated on the side of the road. There were a lot injured. We heard it behind us hit the crowds, then we saw half a dozen people [injured] in the road as we were walking up,” they said.

“It was shocking. We’re back at our hotel now, in a bit of a shock.”

A beautiful atmosphere turned into ‘hell on Earth’

Watch our press conference following tonight’s incident on Water Street in Liverpool city centre ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/1sZW5oMcmy

— Merseyside Police (@MerseyPolice) May 26, 2025

Off-duty BBC reporter Dan Ogunshakin was also at the Liverpool parade, where he saw people surrounding the car before it “suddenly accelerated forwards” and “scattered [people] like bowling pins.”

“What had once been an atmosphere of celebration and joy and happiness suddenly turned into fear and terror and disbelief,” he said.

One victim from the Liverpool Parade car crash attack has now left hospital

Jack Trotter and his girlfriend Abbie also attended the Liverpool parade and were both hospitalised as a result. Though they’ve since left after being given the all clear, Jack is still in “absolute agony”.

“I’m writing this because I’ve got a million texts asking if I’m okay, and it’s crazy over here. I’ve barely any service,” he wrote.

“The parade was going unreal until the very end. Unfortunately, I was hit, however I’m extremely lucky as I dodged the car just in time, however still got hit. In absolute shock at how an event like this can turn to such a tragedy.”

Nearby buildings were used as rescue centres

A final look at Water Street after an unimaginably horrifying end to what was until then a perfect celebration. We’ll be back at the scene early tomorrow morning to bring you more updates. pic.twitter.com/hs9WhZlVsv

— Paddy Edrich (@PaddyEdrichECHO) May 26, 2025

According to Liverpool Echo reporter Paddy Edrich, who posted on Twitter after the ordeal, the local Italian restaurant Riva was used as a makeshift triage centre to help the people who had been injured.

“People inside Riva are being treated by paramedics. Some have bandages around their heads and limbs,” he said in a post. “Staff in the restaurant appear to be providing fluids to those being treated and the emergency services.”

More details are expected to follow.

For more updates, like The Tab on Facebook. 

Featured image credit: ADAM VAUGHAN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock & Twitter/Queen Natalie