Los Angeles Lakers star and Liverpool FC part-owner LeBron James has posted a statement after the horrific incident at the Reds’ celebratory parade where a car plowed into supporters.
The shocking incident unfolded just after 6pm on Water Street in the heart of Liverpool’s city center, as thousands of fans packed the streets to celebrate their team’s triumphant season.
Emergency services rushed to the scene within minutes, with dramatic images showing police cordons, litter strewn across the road, and a strong presence of officers, ambulances and even a fire engine.
The car, described by witnesses as ‘beeping’ as it made its way through the crowds, eventually came to a halt at the scene. A ’53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area’ was swiftly detained by police.
An ambulance team later confirmed that 27 patients were taken to hospital including four children. 20 people were treated at the scene for minor injuries but did not require hospital treatment. Two people, including one child, have sustained serious injuries.
James, who has been a partner in Fenway Sports Group since 2021 and held a stake in the club as early as April 2011, posted his reaction to his account on X (formerly Twitter) hours after the tragedy occurred.
Liverpool part-owner LeBron James has reacted to the violent incident at the Reds’ title parade
A car collided with a crowd of Liverpool fans at their Premier League trophy parade on Monday
James has had a minor stake in the club since 2011 and has been an FSG partner since 2021
‘OMG!!!! WTH. My deepest thoughts and prayers goes out to everyone affected that attended @LFC Premiere [sic] League trophy parade today! Such a senseless act!,’ James posted – adding a face-palm emoji, a broken heart emoji, and the hashtag #YNWA.
Shortly after the incident initially happened, Liverpool released a club statement offering their ‘full support to the emergency services’ dealing with the incident.
It read: ‘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’.
A number of other Premier League clubs have issued responses to the horrific act as well.
Liverpool’s rivals Everton – also based in Merseyside – released the following statement: ‘Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by this serious incident in our city’.
Manchester United’s official account on the platform wrote: ‘Our thoughts are with @LFC and the city of Liverpool after today’s awful incident’.
A Premier League statement read: ‘Everyone at the Premier League is shocked by the appalling events in Liverpool this evening, and our heartfelt thoughts go out to all those injured and affected. We have been in contact with Liverpool FC and have offered our full support following this serious incident’.
Police officers investigate the scene of an incident in Water Street, on the sidelines of an open-top bus victory parade for Liverpool’s Premier League title win
Liverpool swiftly released a statement offering their ‘thoughts and prayers’ to those affected
Burnley’s official X account replied to Liverpool’s post, writing: ‘Our thoughts are with everyone at Liverpool FC and those who have been affected’.
Similarly, Nottingham Forest’s official account wrote: ‘Our thoughts are with everyone at Liverpool FC and those affected’.
Manchester City wrote: ‘The thoughts of everyone at Manchester City are with those injured or affected by the incident at Liverpool’s title-winning parade earlier today.’
FIFA president Gianni Infantino added: ‘Football stands together with Liverpool FC and all fans of the club following the horrific incident that has taken place during the trophy parade in the city. From everyone at FIFA, we offer our thoughts and prayers to all those affected.’
Multiple people were reportedly injured, with four people being seen taken away on stretchers, while another man was pictured leaning heavily on a police officer for support.
Authorities say both Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper are being kept fully briefed on the developing situation.
Harry Rashid, 48, from Solihull, was at the parade with his wife and two young daughters when he witnessed the collision.
He said: ‘It happened about 10 feet away from us. We were just in a crowd and we had no control over where we would be, because it was a very narrow street.
A ’53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area’ was swiftly detained by police
Authorities say both Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper are being kept fully briefed on the developing situation
Pictured: The man who was driving the car in Liverpool
A number of other English clubs were quick to offer their thoughts to those involved
The Premier League also released an official statement in support of those who were affected
‘The vehicle came to our right. It emerged from just right next to an ambulance, which was parked up. This grey people carrier just pulled up from the right and just rammed into all the people at the side of us.
‘It was travelling south, down Water Street, straight towards this strand, which is where the docks are.
‘It was extremely fast. Initially, we just heard the pop, pop, pop of people just being knocked off the bonnet of a car.’
PM Keir Starmer 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.’
The terrifying scenes unfolded just hours after Liverpool FC’s trophy parade got underway at 2pm, with stars including Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah leading celebrations atop the open-top bus.
Chelsea Yuen witnessed the incident and told Sky News: ‘It was jam packed we were like sardines and then we heard beeping and screaming. When we looked up there was a black people carrier driving straight towards us.
A video later emerged online showing the distressing moment the car went through the crowd
Police immediately swarmed to attendance and cordoned off the area on Water Street
‘Me and my friend jumped out the way and pulled our kid out the way.
‘It must have been going 30mph. The windows were all smashed in by people hitting the car.
‘Police riot vans on the scene. People banging on them telling police they need to do something and help. Stewards said backup was coming and all of a sudden police and ambulance come from everywhere.
‘There were kids everywhere. It was a family celebration, it’s just quite shocking what’s happened.
‘It was so packed you couldn’t get through. There was one riot van way the top and as we carried on walking further towards the train station there were more riot vans and ambulances coming from every road. But because it was so packed they couldn’t get through.
‘We’re really shaken up. My friend’s daughter was crying as we got closer to people lying on the floor at the top of the street. We just had to keep walking and get out of the area. We didn’t know what else was coming.
‘Everyone was walking up Water Street because they’d opened up the barriers from the Strand. People were heading to train stations and trying to get home.’
A Liverpool city council spokesperson said: ‘We are currently liaising with Merseyside Police regarding an incident on Water Street in the city centre. Updates to follow.’
A statement from North West Ambulance read: ‘NWAS is supporting an incident in Liverpool city centre, following reports of a road traffic collision.
Images on social media showed distressed fans and police at the scene in Liverpool
Liverpool fans lined the streets in their thousands to celebrate the club’s Premier League title
Mohamed Salah waved to supporters who cheered him and his team-mates earlier in the day
‘We are currently assessing the situation and working with other members of the emergency services. Our priority is to ensure people receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible’.
In a statement released shortly after the incident, police confirmed: ‘We are currently dealing with reports of a road traffic collision in Liverpool city centre.
‘We were contacted at just after 6pm today, Monday 26 May, following reports a car had been in a collision with a number of pedestrians on Water Street.
‘The car stopped at the scene and a male has been detained. Emergency services are currently on the scene. We will issue more updates as we have them’.
The incident marred a day which was intended for celebration among Liverpool supporters after their club sealed a historic 20th league title.
The parade followed a 10-mile route. It started at Allerton Maze, heading north along Queens Drive in a similar route to the one used in 2019 – when the Reds won their last league title.
There were a number of road closures due to the event, with Liverpool City Council strongly recommending that people did not drive.
