The driver of a car which ploughed through a crowd of Liverpool fans on Monday may have been trying to follow an ambulance through the packed city streets, according to reports. The incident took place on Water Street shortly after the Reds held a parade to celebrate winning the Premier League title. Four children were among the 47 injured, with 27 people being taken to hospital.

Two people, one adult and one child, were left seriously injured. Merseyside Police later said they had arrested a 53-year-old white man from the Liverpool area, who is believed to have been the driver of the vehicle. The incident is not being treated as terror-related, the force added.

A wide-ranging police investigation is underway, with officers trying to establish how the car gained access to the road which was closed to traffic. Forensic teams arrived on site just before midday on Tuesday and a large white tent was erected.

According to the Liverpool Echo, police are looking at whether the car may have been attempting to follow an ambulance which was moving through the crowd. At this stage, the idea of the driver tailgating the emergency vehicle is said to be a 'working theory'.

At a press conference on Monday evening, assistant chief constable Jenny Sims from Merseyside Police spoke about the driver and the circumstances surrounding his arrest.

"The car stopped at the scene and a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area was arrested," said Sims.

"We believe him to be the driver of the vehicle. Extensive inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances leading up to the collision and it is vital that people do not speculate or spread misinformation on social media.

"I know that people will understandably be concerned by what has happened tonight. What I can tell you is that we believe this to be an isolated incident and we are not currently looking for anyone else in relation to it.

"The incident is not being treated as terrorism. We would ask that people refrain from sharing distressing footage from the incident online and please share any information directly with our investigation team."

It comes after Steve Rotheram, mayor of the Liverpool City Region, revealed that four people were 'very, very ill' in hospital as of Tuesday morning.

Asked if that represented an increase in the number of seriously injured people, Rotheram replied: "No, not directly, but of course we're in liaison with the police and with the ambulance services.

"Last night they had two gold command meetings. One was really late in the evening, so this morning I'll get some updates."