Police launch manhunt for driver who smashed into crowd in fresher's week event in Birmingham

4 October 2024, 17:25

Police have launched a manhunt for a driver believed to have “deliberately” smashed into a group of pedestrians in Birmingham, hospitalising five people.

The driver hit five people after mounting the kerb on Livery Street, Birmingham in the early hours of Friday morning.

They were attending a university fresher's week event at the Tunnel Club near the city centre when the driver ploughed into them.

West Midlands police believe the group was deliberately targetted by the driver, who remains at large.

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One man was arrested on suspicion of affray and remained in custody.

“We are treating this incident as a targeted attack and are stepping up our patrols in the area today for reassurance,” a spokeswoman for the force said.

Police have asked anyone with information - especially photos or video, to get in touch via 101 or Live Chat quoting log 315 of 4 October.

The force added: “We are investigating after a number of people were injured after, it is believed, they were deliberately driven at in Birmingham this morning.

“We were called to Livery Street shortly after 3am after a report of a disorder involving a group.

“Officers attended and five people were found injured.

“One man was arrested on suspicion of affray and remains in custody at this time, while we are still actively searching for the driver and the car involved.

The West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "On arrival, crews found five patients.

"The first patient, a male pedestrian, was treated by ambulance crews for multiple serious injuries.

"He was taken to a Major Trauma Centre for further treatment with MERIT travelling on board to continue care en route.

"Four other men, also pedestrians, were all treated by medics for potentially serious injuries and conveyed to hospital for further treatment."