Major update on Liverpool parade crash suspect as police issue new statement
Police have secured extra time from a magistrate to continue to quiz the 53-year-old British man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and drug driving - after a car ploughed into a crowd at Monday's Liverpool FC victory parade. And the force said four injured have left hospital since Tuesday, with just seven of the 79 injured now remaining in hospital.
Merseyside Police said: "We can confirm that seven people remain in hospital in a stable condition following the incident on Water Street on Monday, May 26. As part of the ongoing investigation, we have also been able to identify more people who were injured, with 79 in total who we are now speaking with."
The North-West England-based police force had until midday on Wednesday, 36 hours after arresting him, to charge their suspect - or else seek an extension until Thursday by going to a magistrate and requesting the extra time.
Now Merseyside Police have confirmed they have secured a time extension and their suspect - a middle-aged white male from the West Derby area of Liverpool - remains in custody to be quizzed by detectives.
The force explained in an update sent just before 2pm on Wednesday: "A 53-year-old man from West Derby, who was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving offences and driving while unfit through drugs, remains in police custody.
"The investigation team have today (Wednesday, May 28) been granted further time to continue questioning him in police custody, which will remain in place until tomorrow.
"We can also confirm that Water Street has now reopened to vehicles and pedestrians after the police cordon was stood down."
The Daily Express has visited Water Street since it's reopened, to find strands of police tape still attached to the side road for Rumford Street - the junction where the Ford Galaxy car tailgated an ambulance to shoot through a roadblock.
The incident at the roadblock sparked an angry reaction from the packed Liverpool fans crowding Water Street, worsened when CCTV shows the car then bump passersby in the road, leading to the car accelerating away and ploughing into more fans.
In the police's Wednesday update, Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson said: “I’m pleased to say that the number of people in hospital is reducing as they continue to recover from the awful incident.
“We continue to support those still receiving treatment, and as part of our ongoing enquiries, we are identifying more people who were injured. I want to reassure the public of Merseyside that detectives are making significant progress as we seek to establish the full circumstances that led to what happened.
“In addition, extensive CCTV enquiries are being carried out across the city to establish the movements of the car, a Ford Galaxy, before the incident took place.
“We have already had an incredible response from many of those who were there on the day, and I thank them for their cooperation with our investigation.
“I would encourage anyone who has not yet contacted police who may have information on this incident to do so.
“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.”
Innocent members of the public have been forced to speak out after wrongly being named as the 53 year-old man being questioned by police.
One innocent man Peter Cunningham, who is actually 54 and from Huyton, Liverpool - not 53 and from West Derby - had his picture spread across social media wrongly claiming he was the driver, who's grainy image has so far only been captured on CCTV.
Father-of-three Mr Cunningham told the Liverpool Echo today: "I'm stressed out, I don't need it all.
"It's a bad thing that has happened and the police need to do something about it and get his name out there. Other people's names have been shared.
"It's nothing to do with me, I'm in work right now and the man they arrested is in custody."
Merseyside Police said any information, including video footage, can be passed on via the Major Incident Police Portal (MIPP) details are available here: Public Portal
Anyone with information or footage should contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook, ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ or call 101.
