Twenty-seven people were taken to the hospital after a car ploughed into a crowd during Liverpool FC’s Premier League trophy parade. Police received reports of the crash on Water Street at 6pm on Monday evening as the parade, attended by up to one million Liverpool fans, was drawing to a close.

Merseyside Police said a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area was arrested at the scene in connection with the incident. The incident on Water Street, which happened about a mile before the endpoint of the parade, is not being treated as terror-related. Water Street in Liverpool city centre connects to The Strand, close to the famous Royal Liver Building, which runs parallel to the River Mersey.

The open-top buses, carrying players and staff, had only recently passed on The Strand when the vehicle rammed into the crowds, according to witnesses.

The parade began at Allerton Maze south of the city before embarking on a 10-mile route over three-and-a-half hours ending with a finale on The Strand.

The parade did not travel along Water Street itself, but many fans had gathered there to watch on.

A number of road closures were put in place for the parade, with Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims saying there was a “robust traffic management plan”.

Ms Sims called it a “horrific incident”, telling a press conference on Monday night: “I want to thank all of the emergency services, partner agencies and members of the public who came to the assistance of the injured following this evening’s shocking incident, which we declared a major incident.

“This had been a joyous day in Liverpool with hundreds of thousands of people lining the streets to celebrate Liverpool Football Club’s victory parade.”

She urged people to refrain from sharing “distressing footage” from the incident online, but called for videos to be passed to the police.

Around 50 people, including four children, were injured in the incident.

Twenty-seven were taken to the hospital, and two of those, including one child, suffered serious injuries.

Four people who were trapped under the car, including a child, were rescued by firefighters, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service’s chief fire officer said.

Footage circulating online appeared to show the vehicle speed up as it veered into pedestrians on both sides of the crowded street.

Harry Rashid, 48, from Solihull, was at the parade with his wife and two young daughters when he witnessed the collision.

“This grey people carrier just pulled up from the right and just rammed into all the people at the side of us.

He added: “It was extremely fast. Initially, we just heard the pop, pop, pop of people just being knocked off the bonnet of a car.”

Prime Minister said he had spoken to the Mayor of Liverpool about the incident, adding: “Liverpool stands together and the whole country stands with Liverpool.”

On Monday evening, Liverpool FC said in a statement: “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.”