Three men arrested under Terrorism Act after car blast outside Liverpool Women’s Hospital

A man died in the car explosion on Remembrance Sunday and the driver remains in hospital in a stable condition.
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Three men have been arrested under the Terrorism Act and a man has died in a car explosion outside the Liverpool Women’s Hospital.

Counter terrorism police, who are leading the investigation, made the arrests on Sunday.

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The incident took place on Remembrance Day, 14 November, right before the national two-minute silence was due to begin.

Merseyside Police said that the car involved was understood to be a taxi, which pulled up at the hospital at 10:59 in the morning.

The male passenger in the car was declared dead at the scene and is yet to be formally identified.

The taxi driver - also a man - was injured in the explosion and remains in hospital in a stable condition.

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The three arrested men - aged 29, 26, and 21 - were detained later on Sunday in the Kensington area of the city, police said.

Investigation ongoing

Police have confirmed that a number of addresses in the Sefton Park area have been evacuated as part of ongoing investigations into the car explosion.

Specialist officers remain outside a house on Rutland Avenue and the area is cordoned off.

Officers from Counter Terrorism North West are leading the investigation supported by Merseyside Police.

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A police spokesman said: “Officers in Merseyside have made three arrests after a car explosion outside the Women’s Hospital in Liverpool.

“Detectives from Counter Terrorism Police North West continue to keep an open mind about the cause of the explosion and are working closely with colleagues at Merseyside Police as the investigation continues at pace.”

Emergency services outside Liverpool Women's Hospital after an explosion killed one and injured another.Emergency services outside Liverpool Women's Hospital after an explosion killed one and injured another.
Emergency services outside Liverpool Women's Hospital after an explosion killed one and injured another.

PM sends message to Liverpool

The Home Office confirmed to LiverpoolWorld that they are being led by Counter Terrorism North West and Merseyside Police on the incident.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Twitter: “My thoughts are with all those affected by the awful incident in Liverpool today.

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“I want to thank the emergency services for their quick response and professionalism, and the police for their ongoing work on the investigation.”

Merseyside Police chief reaction

Chief Constable Serena Kennedy gave a statement in which she said there would be an increased police presence on the streets of Liverpool as a consequence of Sunday’s events.

She said: “Merseyside Police will continue to liaise with community groups, community leaders, partner agencies and individuals in the coming days and weeks to make sure any concerns are addressed and ensuring that we provide the best possible service to local people.

Chief Constable Serena Kennedy speaking at a media conference.Chief Constable Serena Kennedy speaking at a media conference.
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy speaking at a media conference.

“There will also be an increased and visible police presence on the streets of Merseyside and I would encourage people to engage with my officers and raise any concerns they may have.

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“It is also important that, at this very early stage, people do not speculate about what has happened. We will endeavour to update our communities as soon as we are able.

“I would continue to advise people to be vigilant and if they have any concerns to contact police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.”

Merseyside Fire confirm driver escaped blaze

Phil Garrigan, Chief Fire Officer of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, told reporters at the scene: “The operational crews extinguished the fire rapidly but as has been reiterated by the police chief constable, there was one fatality.

“Another individual had left the vehicle prior to the fire developing to the extent that it did.

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“Our thoughts are with them and the families of those involved.”

Mayor of Liverpool on ‘tragic incident’

Mayor of Liverpool, Joanne Anderson, said: “This morning’s tragic incident at the Liverpool Women’s Hospital has understandably caused a great deal of concern.

“Given the police investigation is ongoing, we need to refrain from speculation so that the facts can be established.

“The emergency services have been excellent in their handling of this incident and I offer them my sincere thanks. The response time to the scene was fantastically swift and the vehicle fire was out within minutes ensuring any other damage to property or harm to individuals was contained.

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“This incident has clearly had a big impact on the hospital itself, especially the patients, their families and staff.”

Advice from Liverpool Women’s Hospital

  • Visiting access to the hospital restricted until further notice. Families of babies on the neonatal unit are asked to contact the unit to discuss access.
  • Patients are no longer being diverted to other hospitals and appointments will be going ahead as normal unless advised otherwise by the hospital. If there are any changes to patient appointments, they will be contacted.
  • Anyone with appointments at the hospital will notice an increased security and police presence on site. The hospital has asked that anyone attending avoids bringing their vehicle where possible. Until further notice anyone attending with a vehicle will need to park either in the hospital’s overspill car park on Mulgrave Street (off Upper Parliament Street) or in designated parking spaces in residential areas near to the hospital.
  • All access into the hospital building is via the new neonatal unit entrance until further notice. Please expect some delays entering the hospital building on arrival.

A LWH statement said: “We would like to say thank you for the co-operation and support of our patients, visitors and staff who have been impacted by this incident. We would also like to say thank you to Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and all other emergency services who have supported the Trust.”

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