A man has been charged after a car ploughed into a jubilant crowd of Liverpool FC fans at the team's Premier League victory parade.
At least 79 people, including four children, were injured after the car appeared to speed up through a crowd of hundreds of people on Water Street at around 6pm on Monday.
Seven of the 50 people taken to hospital remained on wards on Tuesday night, all of them in a stable condition.
On Thursday, Merseyside Police said Paul Doyle, a 53-year-old from West Derby, Liverpool, had been charged with seven different offences, including dangerous driving and causing griveous bodily harm with intent.
Up to a million Liverpool supporters are said to have attended the parade on the spring bank holiday on Monday after the team won the Premier League for a 20th time.
Sir Keir Starmer praised the “remarkable bravery” shown by police and other emergency services in responding to the incident. Noting that "the city has a long and proud history of coming together through difficult times", the prime minister added: “Liverpool stands together and the whole country stands with Liverpool.
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Key Points
- Paul Doyle charged with dangerous driving and causing GBH
- Revealed: First picture of suspect
- Youngest victim injured was aged nine, eldest was 78
- What charges does Paul Doyle face?
- Liverpool parade crash suspect is ‘married businessman and father-of-three’
Public asked to avoid speculation online
19:38
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Holly Evans
Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims told broadcasters: “Now that Paul Doyle has been charged, we ask that the judicial process be allowed to continue without any speculation online or anywhere else that could impede the pursuit of justice for all of those affected.
“A total of 79 people were injured. We continue to be in contact with our officers and staff, and seven people remain in hospital receiving the expert care of our NHS colleagues.
“I hope that all of those who are injured, all witnessed in this terrible incident, are able given time to heal and recover.
“This continues to be a large and complex investigation, and detectives are reviewing a huge volume of CCTV and mobile phone footage submitted by the public and businesses, as well as footage from our own body worn cameras and dash cams.”
Read the full story: Man charged after car driven into crowds at Liverpool parade
19:18
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Holly Evans
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A man has been charged with multiple offences after a car ploughed into fans celebrating at Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory parade, injuring 79 people.
Paul Doyle will appear in court on Friday charged with dangerous driving, causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, wounding with intent to cause GBH and attempting to cause GBH with intent after a Ford Galaxy drove into crowds on Monday.
The 53-year-old is a father of three and a business owner from West Derby, east of the city, and is an ex-Royal Marine commando according to multiple reports, including in The Sun.
Read the full article here from our crime correspondent Amy-Clare Martin:
In pictures: Merseyside Police press conference
19:02
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Holly Evans
Paul Doyle is reportedly a former Royal Marine commando
18:54
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Holly Evans
The suspect accused of injuring 79 people after ploughing a car into crowds at a Liverpool FC parade is reportedly a former Royal Marine.
Paul Doyle has been charged with seven offences against six victims, including dangerous driving and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
According to The Sun, the 53-year-old from West Derby had previously served as a commando in the Royal Navy, but has since been working as a businessman while living with his wife and three children.
'Huge volume of evidence' being investigated, says CPS
18:39
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Holly Evans
Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS Mersey-Cheshire Sarah Hammond said that the investigation is at an early stage and a “huge volume” of evidence is being reviewed.
She said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has today authorised Merseyside Police to charge Paul Doyle, aged 53, from West Derby, Liverpool, with offences of dangerous driving, causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, wounding with intent to cause GBH and attempting to cause GBH with intent, this is following a complex and ongoing investigation into an incident in Water Street, Liverpool on Monday 26th May, 2025.
“The defendant will appear before Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Friday 30 May 2025.
“The investigation is at an early stage. Prosecutors and police are continuing to work at pace to review a huge volume of evidence.
“This includes multiple pieces of video footage and numerous witness statements. It is important to ensure that every victim gets the justice they deserve.
“The charges will be kept under review as the investigation progresses.”
Revealed: First picture of suspect
18:36
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Holly Evans
Here is a first picture of Paul Doyle, a 53-year-old man from West Derby, who has been charged with seven offences including dangerous driving after 79 people were injured during a Liverpool FC parade.
He has been remanded into custody.
Full police statement after charges issued for Paul Doyle
18:34
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Holly Evans
Merseyside Police assistant chief constable Jenny Sims said: “As always, our thoughts remain with all of those injured and affected by this appalling incident, which took place during the Liverpool Football Club parade on Monday.
“As you have heard from our CPS colleagues, the man arrested by Merseyside Police following the incident on Water Street has now been charged with seven serious offences.
“Paul Desmond Sanders Doyle, 53 years, of Burghill Road, West Derby, has this afternoon been charged with two counts of unlawful and malicious wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, two counts of causing unlawful and malicious grievous bodily harm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, two counts of attempted, unlawful and malicious grievous bodily harm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, all contrary to Section 18 of the Offences Against The Person Act 1861.
“He has also been charged with one count of dangerous driving, contrary to section two of the Road Traffic Act 1988.”
Ms Sims continued: “I fully understand how this incident has left us all shocked and saddened, and I know many will continue to have concerns and questions.
“Our detectives are working tirelessly, with diligence and professionalism to seek the answer to all of those questions. When we are able to we will provide further information.”
What charges does Paul Doyle face?
17:33
,
Holly Evans
A man has been charged with seven offences after a car ploughed into crowds celebrating Liverpool’s Premier League title victory.
Paul Doyle, 53, from West Derby, Liverpool has been charged with the following offences:
Two counts of unlawful and malicious wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Two counts of causing unlawful and malicious grievous bodily harm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Two counts of attempted unlawful and malicious grievous bodily harm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
One count of dangerous driving.
He will appear at Liverpool Magistrates’ court on Friday.
Paul Doyle charged with dangerous driving and causing GBH
17:27
,
Holly Evans
Paul Doyle, 53, has been charged with dangerous driving, causing GBH with intent, wounding with intent to cause GBH and attempting to cause GBH with intent after a car ploughed into crowds at the Liverpool victory parade, the Crown Prosecution Service said.
Merseyside Police due to give statement
17:18
,
Holly Evans
Merseyside Police are expected to give a press conference shortly.
We’ll be hearing from Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims and Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire Sarah Hammond.
Merseyside police give update after Liverpool car crash
17:06
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Holly Evans
Fundraiser for those affected hits more than £30,000
16:15
,
Holly Evans
A fundraising campaign set up for those affected has raised more than £30,000, including a £10,000 donation from the Jamie Carragher 23 Foundation, the former Liverpool player’s charity.
The Liverpool Spirit Appeal was set up by the Community Foundation for Merseyside, in partnership with Liverpool City Council, and Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services (LCVS), and money raised will be distributed to those experiencing physical or psychological injuries as a result of the incident, as well as to community organisations
Liverpool fan 'pleaded' with driver to stop as he ploughed into crowd
15:40
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Bryony Gooch
A Liverpool fan run down at the club’s victory parade has described how he “locked eyes” with the driver and “pleaded for him to stop” moments before the car ploughed into him.
Jack Trotter, 22, was enjoying celebrating his team’s success when he found himself “face to face” with the Ford Galaxy on Water Street in the city centre on Monday.
The stricken Northern Irishman was helped by fellow fans and locals into a nearby pub until emergency services arrived to take him to hospital.
Photos of the father-of-one being carried by two firemen while wearing a Liverpoolscarf were on the front pages of several national papers on Tuesday.
Mr Trotter, from Newtownards, County Down, escaped without serious injury and has been discharged from hospital, but fears he could be left with walking problems for weeks.
Watch: Scene of devastation after Liverpool FC parade crash
15:20
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Bryony Gooch
King hails 'community spirit'
15:00
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Jane Dalton
Messages of support were sent to the people of Liverpool, including from the King, who said: "I know that the strength of community spirit for which your city is renowned will be a comfort and support to those in need."
The Prince and Princess of Wales said they were deeply saddened by the crash, adding: "What should have been a joyful celebration ended with tragedy."
Police have not revealed the drug the suspect is believed to have taken
14:50
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Bryony Gooch
Police have not revealed which drug the arrested man was suspected of taking, saying: “We wouldn’t go into this detail at this stage of the investigation.”
They have arrested him on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving offences, and driving “whilst unfit through drugs” and have been given extended powers to keep him in custody for more questioning.
Merseyside police shared early on in the investigation that he was a 53-year-old white British man from the Merseyside area, later revealing he’s from West Derby.
Liverpool parade crash suspect is ‘married businessman and father-of-three’
14:30
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Bryony Gooch
The suspected driver arrested after almost 80 people were injured when a car ploughed into crowds at the Liverpool victory parade has been revealed to be a father-of-three.
The man arrested at the scene is reportedly a married businessman who has been described as a “nice family man” by neighbours who were left in disbelief at the devastation that unfolded on Monday, according to The Mirror.
Senior reporter Holly Evans reports:
In pictures: The aftermath
14:15
Recap: Wife of crash suspect first realised what had happened when she saw her car on TV - reports
14:00
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Bryony Gooch
A neighbour of the suspect has revealed that the wife only realised what had what had happened with the crash when she saw her car, a Ford Galaxy, on television.
The neighbour told The Sun: “The wife is a really nice woman and they have children."No one can believe this has happened.
“She first realised when she saw it was her car on the telly, when she saw it being driven at the parade.”
Recap: Man wrongly identified as Liverpool parade suspect has to move children over safety fears
13:20
,
Bryony Gooch
A man wrongly identified on social media as being the driver of a car which ploughed into a crowd of people in Liverpool has had to move his children out of their home out of fears for their safety.
Photos of Peter Cunningham, 54, circulated online after the incident which injured 79 people.
The Liverpool native told the BBC that he had been with his children four miles away from Water Street along the parade route
He said of the false accusations: "It's not me. I'm in work - the police need to give the [suspect's] name out because I'm getting accused.
“Family members and friends are ringing and asking me, but it could get a whole lot worse. The police need to do something,” he warned.
“I was down Queens Drive with my children. I'm in a completely different car anyway, I've got a Hyundai.”
He said: “It can still put me at great harm, I've had to move my children to a different house today because we're that nervous.”
Watch: 'We could hear screams': Eyewitness of Liverpool car crash
13:00
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Bryony Gooch
Youngest victim injured was aged nine, eldest was 78
12:52
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Bryony Gooch
The youngest victim injured in the Liverpool title parade crash on Monday was aged just nine, police said.
The eldest victim was 78 and all those injured are understood to be British, Merseyside Police said on Thursday in response to journalists’ questions asked at a press conference on Tuesday.
The force declined to answer what drug the 53-year-old man who remains in custody is suspected of taking, saying: “We wouldn’t go into this detail at this stage of the investigation.”
Comedian’s show cancelled after he made joke about Liverpool parade crash
12:40
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Bryony Gooch
A comedian has had upcoming stand-up gigs cancelled after making an “embarrassing” attempt at a joke about the Liverpool Premier Leaguevictory parade crash that injured 65 people.
More than 50 people, including children, were hospitalised when a vehicle ploughed into a crowd of jubilant supporters celebrating Liverpool’s triumph on Monday evening.
But Andrew Lawrence said he would "drive through crowds of people" to get out of the city, in a post that has been met with a furious response on X.
Barney Davis reports:
Fundraiser raises more than £30,000 for victims
12:26
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Bryony Gooch
A fundraising campaign set up for those affected has raised more than £30,000, including a £10,000 donation from the Jamie Carragher 23 Foundation, the former Liverpool player’s charity.
The Liverpool Spirit Appeal was set up by the Community Foundation for Merseyside, in partnership with Liverpool City Council, and Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services (LCVS) and money raised will be distributed to those experiencing physical or psychological injuries as a result of the incident, as well as to community organisations.
Messages of support have been sent to the people of Liverpool since the incident, including from the King who said: “I know that the strength of community spirit for which your city is renowned will be a comfort and support to those in need.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales also said they were “deeply saddened” by the parade crash, adding: “What should have been a joyful celebration ended with tragedy.”
Timeline: the Liverpool parade crash and its aftermath
12:20
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Bryony Gooch
2.30pm on Monday: The 15km (10-mile) open-top bus parade begins, with an estimated one million people attending.
Just after 6pm on Monday: The collision happens roughly a mile before the parade’s finishing point, at Water Street, minutes after the Liverpool bus passed on that street.
The car stops at the scene. Police said a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area is arrested.
Around 10.30pm on Monday: A press conference is held, during which more details about the incident are disclosed. Dave Kitchin from North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) said 27 people were taken to hospital and 20 people were treated at the scene, with four children among the injured.
Tuesday morning: A police cordon remains in place at the scene, with a large police van parked in front of a blue tent on the road and officers stationed along the street, while the Strand has been reopened to traffic as usual.
3pm on Tuesday: Police hold a press conference to say a 53-year-old man remains in custody after being arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and drug-driving. Eleven people remained in hospital, with a total of 65 people wounded.
2pm on Wednesday: Police have been given more time to question the 53-year-old driver who remains in custody. Seven people are still in hospital and a total of 79 people wounded.
In pictures: Royal University Liverpool Hospital as seven people remain hospitalised
12:00
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Bryony Gooch
Police chiefs will disclose suspects’ ethnicity more often to counter disinformation
11:40
,
Bryony Gooch
Police should release details such as the ethnicity of suspects in order to be transparent with the public following major incidents, police leaders have said, following the parade crash in Liverpool.
Merseyside Police revealed that the suspect was a “white British” man less than two hours after a car ploughed into the fans, injuring 79 people at Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory parade on Monday.
Gavin Stephens, chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), defended the decision, which has been described as a “complete step change” from the same force’s approach to releasing information following last year’s knife attack in Southport.
Police were criticised for not releasing more information about the attacker, who murdered three schoolgirls, after false rumours about his religion and asylum status helped to fuel far-right riots which erupted across the country.
Amy-Clare Martin, crime correspondent, reports:
Police continue to question suspect
11:19
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Bryony Gooch
Police are still questioning a 53-year-old man in custody after a car ploughed into a crowd of pedestrians on Monday evening.
Merseyside police quickly detained a man at the scene who they believed to be the driver and within hours said he was a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area.
The force shared that they had extended the amount of time they have for questioning on Wednesday. They did not say how long their extension was.
Why police released suspect’s details so quickly
11:00
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Bryony Gooch
Within two hours of a car ploughing into crowds in Liverpool city centre, police had confirmed the alleged driver was a 53-year-old white man from the Merseyside area.
No doubt desperate to halt the spread of misinformation online, which had already begun to circulate on social media along with graphic footage of the incident, Merseyside Police made the unusual decision to share the suspect’s ethnicity and nationality at the earliest stages of the investigation.
It marks a “complete step change” in their approach to the response to the horrific knife attack in Southport last summer, police commentators have noted.
Amy-Clare Martin, crime correspondent, reports:
Wife of crash suspect first realised what had happened when she saw her car on TV - reports
10:42
,
Bryony Gooch
A neighbour of the suspect has revealed that the wife only realised what had what had happened with the crash when she saw her car, a Ford Galaxy, on television.
The neighbour told The Sun: “The wife is a really nice woman and they have children."No one can believe this has happened.
“She first realised when she saw it was her car on the telly, when she saw it being driven at the parade.”
Inside the aftermath of one of Liverpool’s darkest days
10:33
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Bryony Gooch
As questions swirl around Liverpool as to how a vehicle ploughed into dozens of people, Alex Ross finds a unified city steely in its determination to move forward.
Watch: 'This was no accident,' says Liverpool car ploughing victim
10:17
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Bryony Gooch
David Moyes says solidarity across the city makes Liverpool a ‘special’ place
10:01
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Bryony Gooch
Everton manager David Moyes believes solidarity across the city is what makes Liverpool a “special” place.
The Toffees boss, who famously coined the phrase The People’s Club when he took over in his first spell at Goodison Park in 2002, has praised the way the community supported each other in the wake of the horrific events of Liverpool’s victory parade on Monday.
Cal Markham reports:
Recap in pictures: Sir Keir Starmer meets with Merseyside Police
09:45
,
Bryony Gooch
Man wrongly identified as Liverpool parade suspect urges police to release suspect's identity out of safety fears
09:30
,
Bryony Gooch
A man wrongly identified on social media as being the driver of a car which ploughed into a crowd of people in Liverpool has had to move his children out of their home out of fears for their safety.
Photos of Peter Cunningham, 54, circulated online after the incident which injured 79 people.
The Liverpool native told the BBC that he had been with his children four miles away from Water Street along the parade route
He said of the false accusations: "It's not me. I'm in work - the police need to give the [suspect's] name out because I'm getting accused.
“Family members and friends are ringing and asking me, but it could get a whole lot worse. The police need to do something,” he warned.
“I was down Queens Drive with my children. I'm in a completely different car anyway, I've got a Hyundai.”
He said: “It can still put me at great harm, I've had to move my children to a different house today because we're that nervous.”
WATCH: Couple at Liverpool parade feared baby son had died after pram was flung 15ft down road
09:15
,
Bryony Gooch
Pictured: David Lammy pays homage to Liverpool survivors in Norway
09:01
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Bryony Gooch
Foreign secretary David Lammy paid tribute to those affected by the Liverpool parade crash while in Norway as he visited the Svalbard Liverpool Supporter’s Club.
A known supporter of Tottenham Hotspur FC, he appeared to be wearing a Spurs scarf as he spent time with Liverpool fans.
Fans at the parade 'staggered that the road closures didn't go further'
08:51
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Bryony Gooch
Questions remain about the nature of Merseyside Police’s road management on the day of the parade.
Fans who attended the parade have said they had feared something could happen as “vehicles were edging and pushing through crowds” who had lined the streets to watch, according to The Guardian.
Phil Williams, from Sunderland, who was watching the parade with his 15-year-old son Harry, said he had not seen “any traffic control measures to prevent him and other cars coming along there the way they did”.
“I’m absolutely staggered that the road closures didn’t go further,” he added.
Paul Marsden, 57, a quality and risk manager from Flint, who had been watching the parade nearby, said: “I have to say, I wasn’t surprised. I saw time and again vehicles edging and pushing through crowds leading up to the parade and during it. I warned my sons to stay back because I could recall the Nice terror attack ploughing through crowds.”
RECAP: Prime Minister visits Merseyside Police Headquarters
08:33
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Bryony Gooch
The Prime Minister has visited Merseyside Police headquarters following the incident where a car ploughed into crowds at the Liverpool victory parade.
Sir Keir Starmer met with Deputy Chief Constable Chris Green, Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims, Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell and Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram at the force’s base in Liverpool on Wednesday afternoon.
At the start of the meeting, the Prime Minister said: “Thank you all for making time. It’s really important for me to be here.
“The scenes on Monday were just awful, to see how incredible joy at an amazing achievement turned to horror in a moment.
“Steve, the mayor, has been keeping me informed and updated, along with my team, but it’s really important to be here to go through this first-hand with you, so thank you for making time and ensuring that I get to see the detail in the way that I’d like to.”
Everything we know about the Liverpool parade crash suspect
08:14
,
Bryony Gooch
While police have yet to release the identity of the suspect in custody for the Liverpool parade crash, here’s everything we know about him.
Police revealed early on in the investigation that he was a 53-year-old white British man from the Merseyside area, later revealing he’s from West Derby.
They have arrested him on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving offences, and driving “whilst unfit through drugs” and have been given extended powers to keep him in custody for more questioning.
The man arrested at the scene is reportedly a married businessman with three children, described by neighbours as a “nice family man” according to The Mirror.
Mother dragged by car at Liverpool parade feared baby son had died
07:00
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Holly Evans
A mother dragged on the bonnet of a car at the Liverpool parade has shared the horrifying moment she spotted her six-month-old baby’s pram lying upside down in the road after the pair were hit by the vehicle.
Sheree Aldridge feared she and her son, Teddy, would die after the Ford Galaxy vehicle ploughed into them in Water Street on Monday evening.
The 36-year-old was pushing the pram alongside her partner Dan Eveson when they saw an ambulance making its way down the road, followed by a sudden noise that sounded like a brawl.
“I don’t like fighting and get really anxious, so I turned around and wanted to get the baby out of the way,” she told The Independent from her hospital bed on Wednesday morning.
Read the full story from our correspondent Alex Ross here:
