'Our panic when our son called us about the car attack in Liverpool'

The father of a Liverpool supporter injured during the clubs victory parade has shared the intense fear he experienced when his son called to report being struck by a vehicle driven by Paul Doyle.

Nick Osborne said his son Mason, who was 17 at the time, had traveled with friends to Liverpool on 26 May to celebrate the team's Premier League title. He described the moment Mason called after the car hit his thigh, pushing him and his friends aside.

Of Doyle, 54, who pleaded guilty to all 31 charges on Wednesday, Osborne said: We are relieved he admitted guilt, but the act still happened. He added, He could have stopped the car or handled the situation as any rational person would.

Doyle, a family man from Croxteth, Liverpool, initially denied 31 offenses including causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent but changed his pleas during the second day of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

Osborne, also a Liverpool supporter, recounted watching the parade on TV with his wife when they noticed the open-top bus carrying players gaining speed. Moments later, Mason called, crying, and said, I think there's been a terror attack.

He explained the difficulty in reaching his son due to poor signal and lack of news updates. Authorities later confirmed the incident was not a terror attack. Doyle, agitated by the crowd, intentionally drove into supporters along Water Street. The parade had just completed a 10-mile route, attended by roughly one million fans.

Doyles presence in the city was for picking up friends, but frustration with the crowds led him to drive through barriers into bystanders, which the Crown Prosecution Service described as an act of calculated violence.

Osborne detailed the injuries: The car struck him on the right thigh and pushed him aside. His friends and the mother of one friend were also hit. Everyone was trying to get out of the way, but some were hit.

Mason, now 18, was hospitalized with a suspected broken femur; the friend's mother suffered a broken ankle. Masons injury was later diagnosed as a burst blood vessel, requiring two months of rest and careful treatment.

The weekend following the attack, the family traveled to Paris, but the city was crowded for the Champions League final, leading them to quickly leave the area. Osborne said, He has had sleepless nights, but hes handled it well.

Chief Crown Prosecutor Sarah Hammond stated that Doyle had finally accepted that he intentionally drove into crowds of innocent people. Dashcam footage showed Doyle becoming agitated as he approached Dale Street and Water Street, and the act was deliberate, turning a celebration into chaos.

Doyle admitted charges including dangerous driving, affray, 17 counts of attempting to cause GBH with intent, nine counts of causing GBH with intent, and three counts of wounding with intent. He will be sentenced on 15 and 16 December at Liverpool Crown Court.

Analysis: The Ripple Effect of One Reckless Act During a Celebration

The incident involving Paul Doyle’s intentional driving into crowds during Liverpool’s victory parade underscores the devastating impact one individual’s actions can have on a collective celebration. While the city was filled with joy and excitement following the team’s Premier League title, the reality for some, like Mason Osborne, was far from celebratory.

Nick Osborne’s recount of the harrowing moment when his son Mason called, fearing a terror attack, paints a clear picture of the distress caused by Doyle’s reckless behavior. The father's words resonate: “We are relieved he admitted guilt, but the act still happened.” The admission of guilt, while bringing some closure, cannot undo the harm caused, particularly when lives were disrupted and injured in such an unexpected manner.

The decision by Paul Doyle to drive into a crowd, driven by frustration with the crowd size, was not only an act of violence but also a failure of rational decision-making. By pleading guilty to 31 charges, Doyle acknowledged the severity of his actions, but the psychological and physical toll on victims like Mason remains a lasting consequence. As Mason recovers from his injuries, the emotional scars from the incident, including sleepless nights and the trauma of being caught in such a violent episode, will linger.

Furthermore, this case raises questions about crowd management during public events. With over a million people in attendance, ensuring the safety of participants and onlookers must be a priority. While the authorities confirmed that the incident was not a terror attack, the fear and confusion experienced by Mason and others demonstrate how vulnerable such large gatherings can be to the actions of a single individual.

As Doyle faces sentencing in December, the broader implications of his actions extend beyond the legal consequences. The ripple effects of such a reckless act can’t be measured solely in legal terms—they affect the well-being of innocent individuals, their families, and the sense of safety at public events. The Osbornes, while relieved by the guilty plea, will carry the weight of that day for a long time to come.

Sources:

• 'Our panic when son called from Liverpool car attack'