Liverpool City Council will conduct a review into its planning for major events after a car ploughed into crowds during Liverpool FC’s Premier League title parade – just after 6pm on 26 May. The incident injured more than 100 people.
Council leader Liam Robinson confirmed the review during a cabinet meeting this week. He called the incident “a dark cloud” over what should have been a day of celebration.
Questions in its wake
The “parade crash” left many with questions. Videos were viewed across the country of the car driving slowly through the middle of the crowd, and then of the aggressive acceleration that ran many over.
Why was a car in the midst of the parade in the first place? Surely the heavy pedestrian traffic would require blocking off roads to vehicles?
Council review and public concern
Robinson said the city would conduct a full review of its large-scale event planning to see what learning can be taken, for Liverpool and for the rest of the country. The tragic incident may well have a noted impact on event companies’ perception of Liverpool.
Businesses near Water Street have also raised concerns about traffic control and crowd management on the day. Some fans described “absolute carnage” as they tried to reach Lime Street station after the parade.
Robinson has met with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, and Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram in the aftermath of the incident. He said the council’s thoughts remained with the injured and their families.
“No city responds to times of crisis like this like Liverpool,” he told councillors.
Breaking through a roadblock
Apparently, the car in question broke through a roadblock by tailgating an ambulance.
The crash occurred on Water Street. The driver was in a Ford Galaxy. As he ploughed into the crowd, he injured 109 people, including children as young as nine. Dozens were taken to hospital. Four adults remain in ward care.
Who is the driver?
The driver, reported to be Paul Doyle, 53, of West Derby, has been charged with seven offences, including:
- Two counts of wounding with intent
- Two counts of causing grievous bodily harm (GBH)
- Two counts of attempted GBH
- Dangerous driving
Doyle appeared before Liverpool Crown Court and will face a plea hearing on 14 August, with a trial scheduled for 24 November.
Four adult victims – Ethan Gillard (18), Simon Nash (52), Christine Seeckts (66), and Susan Passey (77) – were publicly named for the first time this week, after a judge lifted reporting restrictions.
