A 53-YEAR-OLD MAN has been arrested on suspicion of murder, dangerous driving offences and driving while unfit through drugs following yesterday’s incident in which a car ploughed through crowds at a parade celebrating Liverpool FC’s Premier League win. 

He remains in custody where he is being interviewed.

The car is believed to have gained access to the road, which had been closed off, by following an ambulance, a spokesperson for Merseyside Police has said. 

Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, the spokesperson said that 11 people of the 50 who were brought to hospital for treatment yesterday remain in hospital. All are in stable condition. 

Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said, “It is believed the driver of the Ford Galaxy car involved in this incident was able to follow an ambulance onto Water Street after the road block was temporarily lifted so that the ambulance crew could attend to a member of the public who was having a suspected heart attack.

“As with many large events, with event organisers we planned for all contingencies and this included the implementation of road closures to protect pedestrians and an armed policing presence was also in place throughout the day.

“There was no intelligence to suggest an incident of this nature would take place, and as we previously stated, the incident is not being treated as terrorism.

“An extensive investigation into the precise circumstances of the incident is ongoing and we continue to ask people not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding the incident and refrain from sharing distressing content online.”

A 53-year-old man was arrested after the “horror” incident and four children were among around 50 who were injured – including one child who was seriously hurt.

Merseyside Police said the suspect was the driver of the car, white, British and from the Liverpool area, and added that it was not being treated as terrorism.

It appealed for people not to share troubling footage of the incident online but to share it with the investigating police.

This afternoon, President Michael D Higgins released a short statement expressing his “solidarity” with those impacted by the incident.

“Ireland has a strong relationship with the city of Liverpool, both through the large number of Irish supporters of Liverpool FC and through the many historic connections between Ireland and the city,” he said.

“All of our thoughts are with all of those injured, including those children who have been hurt, as we wish them all a speedy recovery.”