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Pembrokeshire football fans caught in Liverpool parade horror

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Locals describe ‘terrifying scenes’ as car ploughs into crowd of celebrating Liverpool supporters

DOZENS of Liverpool FC supporters from Pembrokeshire were in the city on Monday (May 26) to celebrate the club’s trophy parade — but for many, the day turned from joy to terror when a car drove into crowds of fans on Water Street, leaving several people injured.

Among those caught up in the chaos was former Herald sales manager Gavin Young, from near Crundale, Haverfordwest, who had travelled to Liverpool with his partner Hannah.

Speaking to The Herald from the Mercure Liverpool Atlantic Tower Hotel, which overlooks the Liver Building and sits just metres from the crash site, Gavin said: “We were literally ten seconds away from being ploughed over. Hannah saw it all — she was crying her eyes out. It’s disgusting what’s happened.”

What was supposed to be a huge day for football fans in Liverpool has ended in Tragedy

Emergency services including armed police and an air ambulance descended on the scene after a grey people carrier mounted the pavement and drove into celebrating fans at around 6:00pm. The crash happened just as Liverpool FC’s official parade was coming to an end.

Gavin and Hannah (Pic Facebook)

“We were told by hotel staff to stay indoors,” Gavin continued. “There were helicopters overhead and police with guns on the street. Then my phone just started ringing non-stop — friends and family checking in to see if we were safe.”

The couple were in the city with Jo, a close friend of Hannah’s who works at the same school in Haverfordwest, and Jo’s husband Martin. All four are safe but shaken.

“We’re just thankful to be alive,” Gavin said. “We were right there. That street – Water Street – it’s where we were walking. If we had been ten seconds ahead, it could have been us.”

Merseyside Police later confirmed that a 53-year-old white British man from Liverpool had been arrested at the scene. The vehicle came to a stop after the collision, and the driver was detained as members of the public attempted to confront him.

Emergency respond to incident after vehicle ploughs into crowds in Liverpool (Image: LPC)

A spokesperson said: “We were contacted at just after 6:00pm following reports a car had been in collision with a number of pedestrians on Water Street. The car stopped at the scene and a male has been detained. Extensive enquiries are ongoing.”

A still from a video taken on a phone shows the moment the driver of the vehicle was arrested (Pic: Sky)

Eyewitnesses reported screams and scenes of panic as people tried to flee. Others chased the car, smashing windows and attempting to drag the driver out before police secured the area.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the scenes as “appalling” and urged the public not to share distressing footage online, asking people to support police efforts.

Liverpool FC issued a statement saying: “We are in direct contact with Merseyside Police regarding the incident on Water Street which happened towards the end of the trophy parade. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected.”

Tens of thousands had gathered across Liverpool to celebrate the team’s Premier League success — with many travelling from Wales. Scores of supporters from Pembrokeshire were in the city, including groups from Milford Haven, Haverfordwest, and Pembroke Dock.

Gavin concluded: “It’s meant to be a celebration – we came here to support the team and have a good time. But this will stay with us for a long time. We’re just glad we made it back to the hotel in time. Our thoughts are with those who didn’t.”

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

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THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, is due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived yesterday with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock. Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.

Weather conditions are currently favourable for this morning’s arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin next week, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide training opportunities and energy-bill support for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

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Crime

Banned for 40 months after driving with cocaine breakdown product in blood

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A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been handed a lengthy driving ban after admitting driving with a controlled drug in her system more than ten times over the legal limit.

SENTENCED AT HAVERFORDWEST

Sally Allen, 43, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 4) for sentencing, having pleaded guilty on November 25 to driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the prescribed limit.

The court heard that Allen was stopped on August 25 on the Old Hakin Road at Tiers Cross while driving an Audi A3. Blood analysis showed 509µg/l of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine. The legal limit is 50µg/l.

COMMUNITY ORDER AND REHABILITATION

Magistrates imposed a 40-month driving ban, backdated to her interim disqualification which began on November 25.

Allen was also handed a 12-month community order, requiring her to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activities as directed by the Probation Service.

She was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. Her financial penalties will be paid in £25 monthly instalments from January 1, 2026.

The bench—Mrs H Roberts, Mr M Shankland and Mrs J Morris—said her guilty plea had been taken into account when passing sentence.

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Local Government

Sewage leak at Pembroke Commons prompts urgent clean-up works

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Council pollution officers say they have no enforcement powers over Welsh Water infrastructure

SEWAGE contamination on the Commons in Pembroke has prompted an urgent response from pollution officers, after a leak was reported by a member of the public on Tuesday.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Pollution Control Team confirmed they were alerted yesterday afternoon to sewage surrounding a manhole cover on the site. The Herald understands that officers immediately notified Welsh Water (DCWW) network technicians to investigate the incident “as a matter of urgency”.

County councillor Jonathan Grimes, who represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, said the authority had been clear that it holds no enforcement powers over Welsh Water assets.

“Whilst we work constructively with Welsh Water, we have no authority to intervene on their apparatus or to carry out enforcement action against them for such pollution incidents,” the Pollution Control Team said in a statement shared with the councillor.

Urgent works underway

Council officers visited the site on Wednesday morning alongside contractors and Welsh Water technicians to assess clean-up options. According to the team, works will include cleaning the contaminated ground in and around the manhole cover and fencing off the affected area “until safe”.

Cllr Grimes said officers would return to the scene on Thursday to check on progress and ensure the area is properly secured.

Residents who notice any further issues have been urged to contact the Pollution Control Team directly.

Further updates are expected later this week.

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