A TERRORIST jumped into a taxi carrying a homemade bomb before it suddenly exploded outside a hospital killing him and injuring the cabbie.
Armed police swooped on Liverpool Women's Hospital just before 11am yesterday after the blast in a car park.
Police confirmed today the horror is being treated as a terror incident.
Three suspects - aged 29, 26 & 21 - have been arrested under the Terrorism Act.
A fourth man, 20, was held today by officers with all four suspects to be quizzed by counter-terrorism officers.
Officers are still trying to establish a motive for the terror blast and say they are keeping an open mind.
Read our Liverpool explosion live blog for the latest updates...
Louis Allwood 14 minutes ago
Motive unknown
Officers are still trying to establish a motive for the terror blast and said the investigation is "continuing at pace".
ACC Jackson said they “cannot at this time draw any connection” with Remembrance Sunday events nearby but confirmed it is a line of inquiry.
Louis Allwood 24 minutes ago
Terrorist was picked up at Rutland Avenue
Assistant Chief Constable Russ Jackson, Counter Terrorism North West, said the dead bomber was picked up in Rutland Avenue just before 11am.
He then asked to be taken to Liverpool Women's Hospital, which is around ten minutes away.
As the taxi approached the hospital, the explosion tore through the car and engulfed it in a fireball.
Louis Allwood 35 minutes ago
Terrorist had homemade bomb and asked taxi to take him to hospital
A TERRORIST ordered a taxi to a hospital carrying a homemade bomb before it suddenly exploded killing him and injuring the cabbie, police said today.
Armed police swooped on Liverpool Women's Hospital just before 11am yesterday after the blast in a car park.
Police confirmed today the horror is being treated as a terror incident.
Three suspects - aged 29, 26 & 21 - have been arrested under the Terrorism Act.
A fourth man, 20, was held today by officers with all four suspects to be quizzed by counter-terrorism officers.
Louis Allwood 47 minutes ago
Police press conference
Counter terrorism police North West have said that the investigation is 'continuing at pace'.
They have confirmed that the explosive device was ignited and brought into the taxi by the passenger.
Police believe they have been able to identify the passenger.
It is not clear what the motivation was behind the explosion.
Louis Allwood Today, 11:10
Hallmarks of ISIS
IF you look at all the pieces, this bears the hallmarks of a terror attack — and just like IS.
Firstly, because of the target and where it happened. IS has targeted hospitals and medical facilities in Afghanistan recently.
Secondly, because of the date. It’s very representative because it’s Remembrance Sunday.
The timing is incredibly significant. It was at 10.59am — on the nose.
And thirdly, because of what was used. It sounds like a VBIED (vehicle-borne improvised explosive device) from what I’ve heard.You’ve got too many joined up pieces to make it a coincidence, plus the fact the attack was in Liverpool as opposed to London.
As we know with cowards like IS, they will always look for the path of least resistance — somewhere that won’t be guarded.It won’t be long before they claim responsibility for this.
Louis Allwood Today, 11:00
Shards of metal hit other cars
Shocking footage shows the car driving up to the entrance of Liverpool Women's Hospital before stopping at the reception.
It then explodes in a cloud of smoke and debris just seconds later as a stunned bystander watches on.
Shards of metal can be seen flying through the air and raining down on parked cars.
Witnesses then rush over to the help as black smoke billows above.
Louis Allwood Today, 10:50
Staff and patients had to evacuate
Armed police swooped on the hospital just before 11am yesterday after the blast in a car park.
Staff had to evacuate some patients and transfer them to other hospitals as the Army bomb squad sealed off the area.
Liverpool Women’s Hospital announced visiting access is restricted "until further notice" and patients will be sent to other medical facilities "where possible".
A spokesperson said staff will be reviewing "patient activity for the next 24 to 48 hours" and assured support is available for anyone impacted by the incident.
Louis Allwood Today, 10:40
Fundraising page has been set up
Last night, an online fundraising page was set up to help David.
The organiser wrote: “His quick-thinking possibly saved a lot of lives.”
Louis Allwood Today, 10:30
Liverpool hero pictured
Brave Dave Perry leapt from the car and locked the doors as the device exploded at Liverpool Women’s Hospital yesterday — killing only the male passenger who carried the bomb.
Last night, David was stable in hospital with burns and shrapnel injuries, including damage to his ear.
Louis Allwood Today, 10:20
MI5 now investigating
Terror cops and MI5 are now investigating the explosion but said it has not been declared a terror attack.
It is understood officers are investigating whether the timing was deliberate as it came when the nation fell silent for Remembrance Day services across the country.
Louis Allwood Today, 10:10
Liverpool mayor speaks about explosion
Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The taxi driver, in his heroic efforts, has managed to divert what could have been an absolutely awful disaster at the hospital.
"Our thanks go to him and our emergency services, and authorities have worked through the night to divert anything further and we've all been on standby and in constant contact to provide any support that's needed."
Louis Allwood Today, 10:00
Moment taxi blows apart
THIS is the dramatic moment a taxi exploded in a fireball just seconds after pulling up to a hospital in a Remembrance Day bomb blast.
Shocking footage shows the car driving up to the entrance of Liverpool Women's Hospital before stopping outside the reception.
It then explodes in a cloud of smoke and debris just seconds later as a stunned bystander watches on.
Shards of metal can be seen flying through the air and raining down on parked cars.
Louis Allwood Today, 09:50
Where did the blast take place?
The blast took place outside Liverpool's women's hospital.
Just hours later, armed police arrived at Rutland Avenue in Sefton around 1pm.
Three men were also arrested during a police raid in Boaler Street in the Kensington area of the city around 4pm.
Louis Allwood Today, 09:40
Police stand-off
Reports claimed police negotiators were locked in a stand-off with suspects after gun cops surrounded homes on Rutland Avenue, two miles south in Sefton.
The street was reportedly evacuated on Sunday evening amid the ongoing incident.
Louis Allwood Today, 09:30
Very busy hospital
Liverpool Women’s Hospital featured on hit Channel 4 series One Born Every Minute and sees 500,000 patients a year.
Around 1,350 staff work there. The hospital — where Coleen Rooney gave birth to her four sons — was immediately closed to visitors and a police cordon was thrown around it.
Louis Allwood Today, 09:20
Boris Johnson's statement
Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: “My thoughts are with all those affected by the awful incident in Liverpool today.
“I want to thank the emergency services for their quick response and professionalism, and the police for their ongoing work.”
Louis Allwood Today, 09:10
Loud bangs were heard
People living near the hospital had reported hearing loud bangs before seeing smoke rising.
Dad-of-two Matt Kerr, 52, said: “I had just sat down to watch the Remembrance Sunday service when I heard a bang. I looked out and saw smoke, then there were police everywhere and helicopters.
“It’s scary to think someone might have wanted to hurt women and children.”
Shop worker Sandra Hughes, 35, said: “I saw people being turned away from hospital. It’s terrifying to think that someone wanted to attack a hospital.”
Louis Allwood Today, 09:00
Heavy armed police presence
Meanwhile, armed cops descended on a house in Kensington — two miles from the hospital.
Neighbours said two men were taken away shortly after 4pm.
Resident Chris Lee, 31, said: “They were bundled into a van. They had been grabbed from one of the houses. I had never seen them before.”
Louis Allwood Today, 08:55
Residents were told to stay in their homes
Just hours after the blast, residents of a street near the city’s Sefton Park were told to remain in their homes by armed police.
More than a dozen officers sealed off the district’s Rutland Avenue.
A police spokesman confirmed that the activity, focussing on a semi-detached property that appeared to be unoccupied, was linked to the hospital explosion. One resident said officers had been negotiating with a resident.
Louis Allwood Today, 08:50
Merseyside Police statement
Merseyside Police’s chief constable Serena Kennedy gave a statement outside the hospital, saying: “So far we understand that the car involved was a taxi which pulled up at the hospital shortly before the explosion occurred.
“Work is still going on to establish what has happened, and could take some time before we are in a position to confirm anything.
“We are keeping an open mind as to what caused the explosion but given how it has happened, out of caution, Counter Terrorism Police are leading the investigation supported by Merseyside Police.”
Louis Allwood Today, 08:45
Next 24 hours are 'critical'
Sources said that the next 24 hours would be critical, with -experienced anti-terror detectives from Scotland Yard also being asked to lend their expertise.
Merseyside Police confirmed it had handed over the investigation to colleagues from the North West Counter-Terrorism unit, which -regularly targets Islamist and far-right inspired terror suspects.
Louis Allwood Today, 08:40
Smoke and flames covered the car
Graphic pictures and videos captured the private hire taxi with smoke and flames billowing from it near the main entrance to Liverpool Women’s Hospital as horrified staff and patients looked on.
Detectives had not last night declared the blast a -terrorist attack.
Security sources said “all options are on the table”, as a major investigation began.
Louis Allwood Today, 08:38
Piers Morgan hails ‘absolute hero’ David Perry for ‘locking suspect in taxi before blast’
PIERS Morgan has praised a "hero" cabbie who locked a suspected terrorist in his taxi before a hospital bomb blast.
Dave Perry was injured after leaping from the car at Liverpool Women’s Hospital yesterday during the Remembrance Day horror.
His brave actions meant the male passenger carrying the bomb was the only person killed as the taxi erupted into a fireball.
TV host Piers today hailed Dave, who was left with burns and shrapnel injuries, as a "hero".
He tweeted: "This is Liverpool taxi driver David Perry who locked a Remembrance Sunday terrorist in his cab seconds before the bomber detonated an explosive device right outside a maternity hospital.
"David’s actions almost certainly saved many lives. He is an absolute hero.
Louis Allwood Today, 08:35
Security expert suggested 'IS' could be behind blast
Last night, security expert Will Geddes, of International Corporate Protection, suggested IS could be behind the blast because of:
TARGET — IS has targeted several hospitals and medical facilities in Afghanistan recently. TIMING — around 11am on Remembrance Sunday as the nation honoured its war dead. CAUSE — Mr Geddes suspects it was a VBIED (vehicle-borne improvised explosive device) also associated with the fanatics.
Louis Allwood Today, 08:29
Explosion was close to large remembrance service
The blast occurred close to the -Liverpool Cathedral which was hosting one of the country’s largest Remembrance Sunday services with more than 2,000 people. It is less than a mile from the hospital.
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