Paramedic: I thought it was a terror attack

A paramedic has described the sheer terror of believing he was in a terrorist incident when an ex-Royal Marine deliberately drove his vehicle into crowds celebrating Liverpool FC's Premier League title win. Jay Vernon, a cycle response paramedic, was knocked to the ground but bravely began treating the injured, witnessing the vehicle reverse and strike an ambulance. Many of the 134 fans injured were sent flying, with the attack only halted when a bystander managed to stop the car.

Despite initial fears of a terror attack, police confirmed the arrested man was white and British. The driver, Paul Doyle, later pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, affray, and 29 GBH-related offenses. Mr. Vernon recounted the chaos, with abandoned pushchairs and scattered medical equipment littering the street as people fled in panic.

Another paramedic on the scene, Matt Hall, described the shocking aftermath, with casualties suffering various injuries. While Doyle claimed to be in a 'blind panic,' prosecutors presented dashcam footage suggesting anger and intent to cause harm. The ex-Marine's service record is also under scrutiny, adding another layer to the shocking events of May 2025.