kimilseung

Still waiting to hear what it was all about.
Set off at 10:59 on Remembrance Day hints at something to do with Armistice commemorations, maybe?
But why to a maternity hospital? The taxi driver apparently saw the bomb, locked the passenger in the car, he dived out, the bomb was detonated, he got injured, and she (other sources say a man), the passenger, killed, hoisted by her own petard. Three arrested, but odd at the moment, I suppose we will learn more soon.

spouse of scouse

Doesn't seem to be any new information yet Kim? The timing does seem suspicious. I'm so glad the bomb didn't make it into the hospital (if that's where it was intended for)

Lynn R

Reports this morning (but unconfirmed) say that the passenger originally asked to go to the Remembrance Day parade but then changed his mind due to heavy traffic and asked the driver to stop outside the hospital (possibly planning to complete his journey on foot?). The driver spotted something suspicious and jumped out, and locked the passenger inside the vehicle which then exploded. I hope the driver's quick thinking and courage are officially recognised by a bravery award as many casualties were undoubtedly avoided because of his actions.

spouse of scouse

Bit more from the BBC now Lynn, apparently the terrorist asked to be taken to the Women's Hospital. I agree re. the taxi driver David Perry, what he did was incredibly brave and quick witted. He's been released from hospital, so glad he's relatively ok but I'd imagine the impact on him will be lasting.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-merseyside-59288929

scrubbedexpat099

Sounds like it is not a one off, national terror level has been increased.

Jerseygirl

Looking at the video, the bomb went off before the driver got out of the car. The car burst into flame seconds after he got out.

Expatrick

I think, watching it, that the bomb, thank God, did not go off as intended, luckily for the taxi driver and others.

Jerseygirl

I read that it did not detonate correctly and the perspex screen, between the front and back seats of the taxi, probably helped save the driver.

kimilseung

Oh wow, just seen the footage of the explosion. Amazing that the driver survived when you watch it.

Jerseygirl

It is…furthermore he survived with just a few cuts and bruises.

scrubbedexpat099

They have named the perpetrator, seems like there was a bomb factory near by.

robin1234

I just watched it. I was surprised how long elapsed, between initial explosion and the driver exiting. Maybe he was initially in shock or momentarily stunned? And why did the bomb go off when it did? Surely that wasn’t the terrorist’s intention?

Interesting to read that he’d been formally “converted” in a ceremony at Liverpool Cathedral. Was it his intention to walk there? Or was he planning to enter the hospital?

scrubbedexpat091

My guess is shock or maybe temporarily knocked partially unconcious, the blast looks pretty severe and being close, I can imagine it might knock someone out momentairly.

Jingsamichty

Was it really a terrorist attack? Terrorists normally have aims and goals. I think this is more likely just a damaged and disaffected man who flipped. His apparent conversion from Islam to Christianity suggests a propensity for being easily persuaded. A terrible event, luckily no-one else was seriously harmed. But terrorism?

kimilseung

My assumption is that the bomber detonated the bomb after being locked inside the car. Maybe the time was a trigger to detonate too. As it got towards 11:00
If he planned to walk to the cathedral, why ask to go to the hospital, rather than getting dropped off on the street.
Why not both?
A plan to bomb a Rememberance Day event looks like terrorism to me.