Merseyside [United Kingdom], May 27 (HBTV): The celebration of Liverpool FC's 20th top-flight English League title win took a tragic turn on Monday (local time) when a car rammed into fans during the club's open-top bus parade on Water Street in Liverpool’s city centre, injuring 47 people, including four children, according to The New York Times.

The incident occurred near the end of the 10-mile-long parade route.

Citing emergency services, the New York Times reported that 27 of the 47 injured individuals were hospitalised, including two in serious condition—one of them a child. The remaining 20 were treated at the scene. A paramedic on a bike was also hit but did not sustain serious injuries. Four people, including a child, were briefly trapped under the car.

Merseyside Police received emergency calls around 6 PM (local time) regarding a vehicle that had struck pedestrians. A 53-year-old man from the Liverpool area, believed to have been driving the vehicle at the time of the crash, has been arrested.

Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims stated during a press conference on Monday night that the police are treating the event as an isolated incident and are not seeking any additional suspects. Authorities have confirmed the act is not being treated as terrorism.

Following the tragedy, Liverpool FC released a statement expressing concern for those affected: ‘We are in direct contact with Merseyside Police regarding the incident on Water Street which happened towards the end of the trophy parade earlier this evening. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this serious incident. We will continue to offer our full support to the emergency services and local authorities who are dealing with this incident.’

NBA legend and club stakeholder LeBron James also reacted to the incident on X, stating: ‘OMG!!!! WTH. My deepest thoughts and prayers goes out to everyone affected that attended LFC Premier League trophy parade today! Such a senseless act!’

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the act on X, calling the incident ‘appalling’. He said, ‘The scenes in Liverpool are appalling — my thoughts are with all those injured or affected. I want to thank the police and emergency services for their swift and ongoing response to this shocking incident. I’m being kept updated on developments and ask that we give the police the space they need to investigate.’

Liverpool FC had lifted their second Premier League trophy on Sunday and were celebrating their victorious season with an open-top bus parade before the incident took place.

This title marks the club’s first under new manager Arne Slot, who succeeded Jürgen Klopp in 2024.

Reflecting on the victory, Slot said during the parade, as quoted by the Premier League: ‘This is by far the number one – it's beyond what you can expect, what you can dream of… You can't imagine what this is like – I've won a few things before but you can't compare them to this. Young, old, every age is here – look them in the eyes and it says it all… You can hardly believe there are [still] more citizens of Liverpool [for us to see later on the route]. All through the route there's been so, so many people – it's beyond my dreams.’ (ANI)