Seven people seriously injured and man arrested as pedestrians hit by car

A man in his 30s has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after seven people suffered serious injuries when a car hit pedestrians in Derby.

The car, a black Suzuki Swift, struck a number of people in Friar Gate at about 9.30pm on Saturday, Derbyshire Police said.

Seven people were treated at the scene and taken to hospital, with a range of serious but not life-threatening injuries, the force added.

A man in his 30s, who is originally from India, was found a short time after the incident and 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.

A statement from Derbyshire Police said: “Seven people were treated at the scene by ambulance crews and taken to Royal Derby Hospital and Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham.

“The seven suffered a range of serious but not life-threatening injuries and we can confirm that, contrary to online speculation, no-one died in the incident.

“A man in his 30s, who is originally from India, 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.

“He remains in police custody.

“The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing and we are keeping an open mind as to the motives.”

The force’s initial statement said: “Although we know this will be alarming, we would like to reassure people that we do not believe there is an ongoing risk to the public.”

A section of Friar Gate is expected to be closed for some time and people are asked to avoid the area.

The Home Secretary is being kept updated on the incident.

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.”

She added: “The police are actively investigating. We don’t believe there is wider cause for the public to be alarmed.

“The police have made an arrest, and the Home Secretary is being kept updated on this.”

Derby North MP Catherine Atkinson said she was “deeply shocked”.

Posting on Facebook, she said: “My thoughts are with those injured and I’m grateful to our emergency services.

“Please follow police advice and avoid the area. Anyone who has information should contact them as soon as possible.”

Baggy Shanker, the MP for Derby South, 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, 47, described seeing people on the floor who appeared to be “seriously hurt” after the incident.

He told the Press Association: “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.

“I was with my son so I quickly sort of got him out the way.”

Mr Lucas described seeing paramedics trying to help two people on the floor, who appeared to be “seriously hurt” and “weren’t moving”.

He said that Derby is not the type of place where people say “it never happens here”.

The father said he thinks there is “a lot of violence at the moment” in the area.

Anyone with information that could help officers with their investigation should contact the force online or by calling 101, quoting incident 1131 of March 28.

Information can also be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or by visiting its website: https://orlo.uk/TP9xX.