What began as a triumphant celebration turned nightmarish when a vehicle ploughed into a crowd of Liverpool FC fans during the club’s Premier League trophy parade on May 26, 2025. Among the injured was a survivor of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, who recounted the traumatic moment they were knocked to the floor by the speeding car. As emergency sirens cut through the celebration, eyewitnesses watched in disbelief, many describing flashbacks to prior attacks.
The city, known for its passionate football community, has been left shaken. Videos of the terrifying incident have gone viral, showing the split-second chaos as fans tried to flee. Counter-terrorism officers are now assisting Merseyside Police in a sweeping investigation into the motives of the 53-year-old suspect arrested at the scene.
This story has unearthed painful memories for many, especially for the survivor who had lived through one of the UK’s deadliest terror attacks. Their account adds a deeply emotional dimension to an already tragic event, and their words have resonated powerfully throughout the nation.
Tragedy Strikes Liverpool’s Victory Celebration
A Day of Joy Turns to Terror
Liverpool’s trophy parade was meant to be a city-wide celebration. Red banners fluttered in the breeze, streets were filled with singing, and the Premier League trophy gleamed atop the open-top bus. Fans of all ages, some having waited decades for such a moment, lined the streets with their families. But the jubilation was violently interrupted when a silver car accelerated through a crowd on Water Street.
The scene quickly devolved into panic. Screams replaced chants. Where moments before there had been smiling children on shoulders and singing supporters, now there were cries for help and the flash of ambulance lights. The festive atmosphere dissolved into a sea of confusion and heartbreak.
Liverpool officials have described this as one of the darkest days in the city’s recent memory. It not only cast a shadow over the club’s historic achievement but also raised urgent questions about event safety and public preparedness.
Car Ploughs Through Crowd on Water Street
According to multiple eyewitnesses, the car entered Water Street during a peak moment of crowd density. Without warning, the driver hit the accelerator, striking several people before eventually being halted by police and barricades. Panic rippled through the packed crowd like a shockwave, with fans scrambling for safety and first responders rushing to the scene.
Reports confirm at least 11 individuals were injured. Videos circulating online show the vehicle moments before and after the impact, with some fans calling it a deliberate act. The suspect, identified as a 53-year-old white British man from Merseyside, remains in custody, and authorities have yet to disclose the motive behind the attack.
Investigators are exploring whether the act was random or targeted, with counter-terrorism teams reviewing CCTV footage, phone records, and witness statements to determine the broader context of the attack.
Survivor of Past Attack Among the Victims
Among those injured was a survivor of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, one of Britain’s deadliest terror incidents. The individual, whose name has not been released for privacy, was knocked to the ground during the Liverpool parade and later transported to hospital with minor injuries.
In a deeply moving statement, the survivor said, “For a moment, I thought I was back in Manchester. The noise, the screaming—it all came flooding back.” The emotional weight of surviving two such traumatic events has sparked an outpouring of empathy from across the UK.
Their account has reminded many of the long-term trauma carried by survivors of mass violence—and how even seemingly joyous moments can reopen old wounds. This is not just a story of injury but one of emotional endurance and survival against all odds.
Eyewitness Testimonies Uncover the Panic
Fan Accounts Paint Picture of Devastation
Eyewitness testimonies from Liverpool’s Water Street paint a heart-wrenching image of the moments following the vehicle attack. Fans described a mix of disbelief, panic, and shock as the car barrelled into unsuspecting supporters. Many initially thought it was a stunt or accident, until screams and chaos confirmed the horror unfolding before their eyes.
“I saw a man get launched into the air,” said Josh D., a fan attending the parade with his young son. “There was blood, people running, and I couldn’t process what was happening. It was like time froze.” Others mentioned hearing the engine rev before the vehicle surged forward, suggesting intent and contributing to growing suspicions about the motive.
Social media was immediately flooded with real-time accounts. Posts ranged from calls for help and updates about missing loved ones to descriptions of bystanders performing first aid and comforting the wounded. These first-person narratives have become central to understanding both the timeline and the emotional impact of the incident.
Emotional Reactions from Onlookers
Beyond the physical injuries, emotional trauma has taken a heavy toll. Children were seen crying, unable to understand the terrifying change in their environment. Adults struggled to shield their families, with many still haunted by the image of the car crashing through the crowd.
“I can’t sleep,” said one witness. “Every time I close my eyes, I see the moment it happened.” This level of trauma is not limited to those physically injured. Mental health professionals are warning of widespread post-traumatic stress, particularly for those with past experiences of violence.
For the survivor of the Manchester Arena bombing, the experience was retraumatizing. To have lived through two acts of mass violence has reignited conversations about public safety, PTSD support, and the resilience required to live in the shadow of such events.
Moments of Heroism Amid the Chaos
Even in the darkest of moments, heroes emerge. Several fans put themselves in harm’s way to protect others. One man reportedly pulled a young girl out of the path of the car just seconds before it struck. Another formed a human shield around his wife and children, suffering injuries in the process.
Emergency responders acted with incredible speed and professionalism, arriving within minutes. Volunteers, including some off-duty nurses and medics in the crowd, sprang into action. Their efforts helped stabilize victims before ambulances arrived, potentially saving lives.
One eyewitness, a woman who had military training, described how she helped apply a tourniquet to a severely injured man using a scarf. “You don’t think—you just do it,” she said. These acts of bravery are now being celebrated across the city and on social media.
Survivor Speaks Out – “I Thought I Was Reliving Manchester”
Survivor’s Background – Living Through Two Tragedies
The Manchester Arena bombing on May 22, 2017, left 22 people dead and hundreds injured. One of the survivors of that attack was among those caught in the Liverpool parade incident. Their harrowing journey has gripped the public. “I never thought I’d feel that fear again,” they told reporters. “It was like I had been thrown back in time.”
Their account has brought renewed attention to the lasting impact of mass violence. Surviving one attack is harrowing enough—but to be involved in a second, years later, while simply celebrating your football team, is a cruel twist of fate.
Despite their trauma, the survivor has expressed determination to recover. “I’m alive. I got up. That’s what matters. But we need to talk more about what this does to people mentally.”
The Horrific Moment the Car Struck
Recounting the precise moment, the survivor shared that they were photographing the bus float when they noticed people screaming. “I turned and the car was right there. I didn’t even have time to run—I just got hit.”
Thrown to the ground and momentarily unconscious, they regained awareness to a blur of people, pain, and panic. Medics treated them quickly, and they were taken to hospital with minor fractures and deep bruising. But the physical wounds were nothing compared to the emotional flashbacks.
“It was Manchester all over again,” they said. “The sound of screams, the smell of smoke, people bleeding—it was identical in feeling, and I couldn’t believe it was happening again.”
Mental Toll and Flashbacks
Mental health experts emphasize that survivors of violent incidents often suffer flashbacks, panic attacks, and anxiety long after the event. In this case, the trauma was instantly reactivated by a new, yet tragically similar, experience.
The survivor has begun trauma counseling again and is encouraging others affected by the parade incident to seek help. “You can’t go through this alone,” they said. “There’s no shame in admitting you’re scared.”
Organizations like Victim Support UK and local Liverpool charities have stepped in to offer free sessions and emergency therapy for anyone at the scene. The city is rallying to ensure that those impacted do not face their trauma in silence.
