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Forensic investigators at the scene in Friar Gate, Derby. Alamy Stock Photo
England
Seven seriously injured and man arrested after car driven into pedestrians in Derby
Derbyshire Police said counterterrorism officers are assisting their investigations, but “this does not mean the incident is currently being treated as terrorism.”
LAST UPDATE | 29 Mar
A MAN IN his 30s has been arrested after seven people suffered serious injuries when a car was driven into pedestrians in Derby in England.
Derbyshire Police said the car, a black Suzuki Swift, struck a number of people in Friar Gate in the centre of the city at about 9.30pm on Saturday.
Seven people were treated at the scene and taken to nearby hospitals, with a range of serious but not life-threatening injuries.
A 36-year-old Derby man, who is originally from India but had lived in the UK for a number of years, was found a short time after the incident.
He was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, causing serious injury through dangerous driving, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, and dangerous driving, police said. He remains in police custody.
“Derbyshire detectives are leading the investigation with the support of Counter Terrorism Policing colleagues, which is common practice for an incident of this nature, and are keeping an open mind about the potential motives,” Derbyshire Police said in a statement.
“Although counter terrorism officers are assisting us with those early investigations, this does not mean the incident is currently being treated as terrorism.”
Chief Superintendent Emma Aldred, who leads policing in Derby, told a media briefing that the suspected driver was arrested on the other side of the city centre seven minutes after the incident.
She said: “He was safely stopped in Station Approach, where the bridge crosses over towards Pride Park.
“This swift action would not have been possible without eyewitnesses who contacted us about the vehicle’s whereabouts as it was driven away from the scene and around the city centre.”
She added that the force believes it is an isolated incident, and there is no wider risk to the public.
UK education secretary Bridget Phillipson told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: “My thoughts are with anyone that’s been affected by this, those who’ve been injured or hurt, and their family members at this really difficult time.”
“The police are actively investigating. We don’t believe there is wider cause for the public to be alarmed,” she said.
“The police have made an arrest, and the Home Secretary is being kept updated on this.”
Derby South MP Baggy Shanker said his thoughts are with “everyone who has been affected and with their loved ones”.
One person who arrived at the scene shortly after the incident told the Derby Telegraph there were “people on the floor”.
They added: “It was such a frightening experience. We came around the corner and there was just people everywhere.
“We didn’t realise what had happened and then we slowly realised that it was something bad.”
Local resident Mark Lucas described seeing people on the floor who appeared to be “seriously hurt” after the incident.
“I ended up coming down with my son and I realised it was a big incident – people were over the floor and there were a lot of police and ambulances,” the 47-year-old told the Press Association.
“I was with my son so I quickly sort of got him out the way.”
He described seeing paramedics trying to help two people on the floor who appeared to be “seriously hurt” and “weren’t moving”.
He said Derby is not the type of place where people say “it never happens here”.
With reporting from Press Association
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