Liverpool Parade Horror 9-Year-Old Victim of Car Rampage

Liverpool Parade Tragedy: Nine-Year-Old Among Dozens Injured in Car Incident

The celebratory atmosphere of Liverpool's victory parade was shattered on Monday when a car plowed into a crowd of fans on Water Street. Merseyside Police have confirmed that a nine-year-old child was among the injured, highlighting the devastating impact of the incident.

The youngest victim's age is a stark reminder of the indiscriminate nature of the event, which saw injuries ranging across a wide age spectrum. According to police reports, the victims' ages ranged from nine to 78 years old.

Authorities are currently holding a 53-year-old man from West Derby, Liverpool, for questioning. He was arrested on suspicion of:

• Attempted murder
• Dangerous driving
• Drug driving

Police have been granted until Thursday evening to continue their interrogation.

As of Wednesday, seven people remain hospitalized in stable condition. In total, a staggering 79 individuals sustained injuries when the vehicle drove into the crowd.

Adding to the horror, the car also struck a pram. Thankfully, the baby boy inside was unharmed, despite the pram being spun several meters down the street due to the impact.

While police have confirmed the suspect was arrested on suspicion of drug driving, they have not released details about the specific substance involved, stating, "We wouldn't go into this detail at this stage of the investigation."

Investigators believe the incident occurred after a temporary lifting of a road block, which was in place to allow an ambulance to attend to a medical emergency - someone suffering a heart attack. The vehicle then reportedly followed the ambulance before driving into the crowd. There was a partial closure on Dale Street, between North John Street and Exchange Street, which leads into Water Street.

Community Rallies to Support Victims

In the wake of the tragedy, the Liverpool community has demonstrated remarkable resilience and solidarity. Numerous individuals and organizations have stepped forward to offer support to those affected.

John and Kerri Davies, owners of J&K Travel, immediately mobilized their minibuses to provide transportation for those stranded. Liverpool University student Oli Fountain opened his flat to those "stuck in town," offering a safe place to stay.

A fundraising appeal launched to assist the victims has already raised over £30,000, including a generous £10,000 donation from former Liverpool centre-back Jamie Carragher. Rae Brooke, from the Community Foundation for Merseyside, which established the fund in partnership with local authority and voluntary services, highlighted the community’s desire to help: "We know just how generous people are in the Liverpool area."

The outpouring of support underscores the strong sense of community in Liverpool and the collective determination to help those impacted by this devastating event. While the physical and emotional scars of this tragedy will take time to heal, the unwavering spirit of the city offers hope and strength in the face of adversity.

Tags: Liverpool parade, car crash, victims, Water Street, injured fans, attempted murder, drug driving, Merseyside Police, nine-year-old, suspect, community support, Jamie Carragher.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5ykj8jn76eo