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Nick Osborne, whose son Mason was injured during the car attack at Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory parade, recounted the intense fear he experienced when he first received a call from his son. Mason, then 17, had gone to Liverpool with friends to join in the celebrations on 26 May. Moments after a vehicle driven by Paul Doyle struck their group, Mason phoned his parents, describing the moment the car hit his thigh and pushed him aside.
Nick Osborne, from Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, expressed relief that Doyle, 54, admitted guilt to all 31 charges he faced but emphasized the seriousness of the offense. “Me and my wife have said we are glad he’s admitted the guilt – but he has still done it,” he said. Despite the distressing event, Mason was reportedly still in a clear state of mind, able to call for help. Doyle initially denied all accusations, including serious charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, but reversed his pleas on the second day of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court.
As they watched the parade on television, Nick and his wife noticed the players’ open-top bus suddenly accelerate. Shortly after, Mason rang in tears, fearing the attack was a terror incident. The couple struggled to reach him afterward as phone signals failed, and no information was immediately available on the news or online. It later emerged that Doyle, angered by the large crowds blocking the streets, deliberately drove through barriers and into fans along Water Street. This violent act occurred just as the Liverpool team had completed their 10-mile route in front of around one million supporters.
Mason’s injury, initially thought to be a broken femur, was later diagnosed as a burst blood vessel; however, it still required a lengthy recovery that kept him off the football pitch for two months. The trauma of the event deeply affected the family. “It was horrendous. It was one of the most traumatic, stressful times and my wife was beside herself,” Nick reflected. Following the incident, the family traveled to Paris, which was itself experiencing intense celebrations due to the Champions League final. Nick noted how they had to quickly leave the area amid the heavy crowd and police presence, and he mentioned that Mason, now 18, has struggled with sleepless nights while coping with the aftermath.
Chief Crown Prosecutor Sarah Hammond commented on Doyle’s eventual admission, stating that the defendant “finally accepted that he intentionally drove into crowds of innocent people.” She highlighted dashcam evidence that captured Doyle’s growing agitation as he neared the busy streets. Hammond described the act as “calculated violence,” emphasizing the deliberate nature of Doyle’s decision, which turned a day of joy into chaos. Doyle faces sentencing in December after admitting to charges including dangerous driving, affray, and multiple counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent
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