Derby Incident: Around 20 People Hit by Car on Friar Gate – Driver Arrested
The scene in Friar Gate
Late on Saturday evening, chaos unfolded on Friar Gate in downtown Derby when a car ran into a group of people around 9:30 p.m. Witnesses described a frightening scene with injured people lying on the road and pavement, screams filling the air and emergency crews rushing in. Several victims were given immediate treatment at the scene and then taken to hospital, with some reported to have serious injuries.
The car involved was reported to be a black Suzuki Swift. Bystanders used words like “horrible” and “blood everywhere” to try to explain what they saw — short, sharp images of a night no one wanted to be part of.
Arrest, vehicle details and closures
Officers stopped a vehicle shortly after the incident and arrested a man in his 30s, who remains in custody. Authorities are asking anyone who might have seen the black Suzuki Swift driving through Derby after the event to come forward. Dashcam clips, phone video and any other footage could be useful.
Friar Gate was shut between the junction with Curzon Street/Cheapside and Ford Street and stayed closed for hours while emergency services and investigators worked the scene. People were urged to avoid the area while ambulances and police tended to the injured and cleared the street.
Investigation, witness appeal and similar incidents
The investigation is ongoing and updates were promised as more information becomes available. Officials are asking witnesses to hand over footage or information that could help piece together what happened. Emergency responders and investigators are continuing their work to establish the exact circumstances.
The incident drew uneasy comparisons with a recent central London crash that left several people hurt after a bus mounted the pavement. In both cases, bystanders and commuters were left shaken and investigators called for any footage or eyewitness accounts to assist inquiries.