Second person from Southport arrested after serious accident on the Strand in Liverpool

Officers investigating a serious collision on The Strand in Liverpool city centre in the early hours of today (Saturday 7 October) have arrested a second person and are appealing for a Hackney cab driver to come forward.

A white Audi TT, travelling a speed, came to the attention of patrols at about 1.10am.

Soon after, the vehicle was in collision with a private hire car on The Strand near its junction with Brunswick Street, which was in turn involved in a collision with a pedestrian.

The pedestrian, a man in his 40s, was taken to hospital for treatment for serious injuries where his condition remains critical.

The private hire driver, a man in his 50s, also required treatment for neck injuries.

A passenger of the Audi was detained at the scene, and a 53-year-old woman from Southport was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and has been taken into custody to be interviewed.

A 36-year-old man from Southport has now also been arrested in connection with the investigation.

The driver of the Audi made off on foot and it is believed he left the city centre in a black Hackney cab. We are appealing for that driver to come forward as efforts are ongoing to locate the driver.

The Strand has now re-opened in both directions having earlier been closed between James Street and Chapel Street while officers investigated at the scene and emergency services dealt with the incident.

Detective Sergeant Kurt Timpson, Lead Investigating Officer for the Matrix Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “Our investigation continues following the serious collision that took place in the early hours of this morning, which has left a 44-year-old man with serious life-threatening injuries. 

“While two arrests having been made today in connection with the incident, we are continuing to appeal to anyone who witnessed this incident to please get in touch.

“In particular, we are keen to trace a black hackney taxi which CCTV appears to show a suspect getting into shortly after the crash.  

“The driver of that taxi may not realise the significance of that journey as it was not at the scene of the collision, but I appeal to them to get in touch with us as soon as possible to assist us with our enquiries.  

“The taxi collected the man outside the Crown Court on Lord Street at the junction with Castle Street. The man was white, with fair hair and was wearing dark shorts, with a lighter t-shirt and dark trainers.  He also had some sort of bag across his body and appeared to be holding himself as if he was injured.

“I would ask that if you were in the area at the time or have premises nearby, to please review your CCTV or dashcam in case the incident was captured, including any footage of the Audi TT on the approach to the crash. Every piece of information, no matter how small, could help us with our ongoing enquiries."

Anyone with information is asked to contact our Matrix Serious Collision Investigation Unit on (0151) 777 5747, email [email protected], or DM @MerPolCC on Twitter quoting reference 23000974882.

The incident has been referred by Merseyside Police to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) as the incident followed recent police contact.

You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously.