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Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims (right) speaking at Merseyside Police Headquarters alongside Detective Chief Superintendant Karen Jaundrill(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)

New details emerged on Tuesday about the nature of the shocking incident that saw dozens of people driven into by a car at the end of Liverpool FC’s Premier League parade.

The day after the harrowing scenes of a car ploughing into pedestrians in Water Street, just yards from where the team bus had passed along The Strand against a backdrop of fireworks and adoring fans - the city was still trying to come to terms with the horror that unfolded.

A press conference at Merseyside Police’s headquarters provided some further clarity on the moments leading up to Monday’s incident and what action police had taken in its aftermath.

Police chiefs confirmed the news, broken earlier in the day by the Liverpool ECHO, that the car involved - a Ford Galaxy - had managed to tailgate behind an ambulance in order to make its way on to Water Street, which had been closed to traffic for the parade event.

It was confirmed that the ambulance had been allowed past a road block at the junction of Water Street and Rumford Street to attend to a man suffering a suspected heart attack when the Galaxy driver followed in behind.

Eyewitness reports suggest some of the pedestrians in the area attempted to stop him from progressing down the closed off street.

After this the car sped up and ploughed into those walking along Water Street, creating a scene of devastation.

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Merseyside Police assistant chief constable Jenny Sims told the gathered media: “It is believed the driver of the Ford Galaxy car involved in this incident was able to follow an ambulance onto Water Street after the road block was temporarily lifted so that the ambulance crew could attend to a member of the public who was having a suspected heart attack.

“As with many large events, with event organisers we planned for all contingencies and this included the implementation of road closures to protect pedestrians and an armed policing presence was also in place throughout the day.

“There was no intelligence to suggest an incident of this nature would take place, and as we previously stated, the incident is not being treated as terrorism.”

The police were also able to confirm the full extent of the injuries suffered by those injured as the car was driven into the crowds.

In total there were 65 casualties, with 50 people treated at hospitals across the region.

11 of those remained in hospital as of Tuesday afternoon, with police confirming they are all in a stable condition and appear to be recovering well.

More details were also released about the nature of the arrest of the 53-year-old driver of the car, who police confirmed is from the West Derby area of Liverpool.

Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims,speaking at Merseyside Police Headquarters(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)

Speaking about the arrest, Detective Chief Superintendent Karen Jaundrill said: “We have arrested a 53-year-old man from West Derby on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving offences and driving while unfit through drugs.

He remains in custody where he is being interviewed.”

She added: “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 this awful incident and bring the person responsible to justice.”

Political and community leaders have continued to respond to the Water Street incident.

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram praised the work of the emergency services and others who went out of their way to help amid chaotic scenes in the city centre on Monday evening.

He said: “The emergency services were outstanding, fantastic.

The way in which the police were so quickly on the scene and the ambulance service kicked into gear was brilliant.

“We saw how the plan for the whole event and the contingencies within that, from something that is called Gold Command, kicked in - I think it was exemplary.”

He added: “The issue we have when an incident like this happens is that one of the ways we secure the wider area is to close down the public transport system and we had to do that.

They were absolutely superb.”

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Mayor Rotheram also praised the people of Liverpool for their desire to help out.