King Charles, Queen Camilla issue statement on Liverpool incident

 

King Charles and Queen Camilla on Tuesday offered  "prayers  and deepest sympathy" to all those who have been affected by "the terrible incident in Liverpool on Monday evening."

The royal couple, who who are on an official visit to Canada, issued a joint statement hours after a car ploughed into a crowd of Liverpool fans during a parade celebrating their side's Premier League soccer title, hospitalising 27 people. 

At least two people were seriously injured. Police said they did not believe the incident was terrorism-related.

"My wife and I are deeply shocked and saddened by to hear of the terrible events that took place in Liverpool," the statement read.

The statement quoted the king as saying, "my special gratitude goes out to the first responders, emergency services personnel and other individuals who rushed to the aid of the injured."

Earlier, the police said they had arrested a "53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area," whom they believed to be the driver of the vehicle which struck a large group of supporters who were celebrating in the city in northwest England.

Twenty people were treated at the scene. Ambulance officials said of the 27 taken to hospital, four were children. One child and one adult were in a serious condition. Four people trapped under the vehicle had to be released by firefighters.