A man has been charged after a car drove into a crowd of pedestrians following Liverpool‘s Premier League victory parade on Monday.
Paul Doyle, 53, from West Derby, was charged with dangerous driving, causing grievous bodily harm with intent, wounding with intent to cause GBH and attempting to cause GBH with intent after the incident on Water Street in the city centre. He is set to appear at Liverpool magistrates court on Friday.
At least 79 people were injured in the incident, with two of the injured, including one child, having sustained serious injuries. Seven people remain in hospital in a stable condition.
Merseyside Police confirmed on Thursday that the youngest person injured was nine and the oldest was 78.
Sarah Hammond, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said: “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 every victim gets the justice they deserve.”
At a news conference, Assistant Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, Jenny Sims, added: “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.”
The city had been celebrating Liverpool’s record-tying 20th title when the driver turned down a street full of fans and joy quickly turned to tragedy.
Police said they believed Doyle dodged a road block by tailing an ambulance responding to a report of a person in cardiac arrest.
Eyewitness video showed scenes of horror as the car struck and tossed a person in the air who was draped in a Liverpool flag and then swerved into a sea of people packed on the side of the road. Merseyside Police said the driver was believed to have acted alone and they did not suspect terrorism.
Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson said: “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.”
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
