A stunned photographer captured the "nightmare" moment a scrambler bike hit several football fans in the Anfield pre-match crowd.
A photographer documenting the Anfield crowd told the ECHO of the moment he saw two men riding a scrambler bike collide with a number of fans. David Marsland, a local photographer, said he regularly takes photographs of the Anfield crowd around the Kirkdale area before and after matches.
But he said, before the Liverpool FC match against Newcastle on Wednesday, August 31, two men were seen riding a scrambler bike weaving in between fans. Mr Marsland told the ECHO : "I was taking my photos when I noticed a bit of commotion. Two lads on a scrambler bike were weaving in-and-out of fans making there way to the stadium.
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"I couldn't quite see what was happening but I think they ran into some spectators. I took a photo of a man sitting on the floor with police, stewards and paramedics attending to him. It was all an absolute nightmare."
It was previously reported the bike almost made contact with Newcastle FC owners Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi while walking through Stanley Park. Former England defender Danny Mills was also caught in the chaos and told Sportsmail people were hit by the bike.
He said: "I had picked up my media accreditation and was walking back towards the stadium on the corner of Stanley Park when, all of a sudden, I heard this ridiculous motorbike sound. It had squeezed through a gap and into a pedestrian area that was packed with supporters.
"A couple of people were hit on the way through before the police managed to knock them off the bike. But it could have been so much worse. It was an area full of supporters, including children. They were going at some speed and you really feared for people’s safety."
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: "We have arrested two males following an incident outside Anfield stadium on Wednesday August 31, in which a scrambler bike was reported to have been in contact with pedestrians. The scrambler bike, which was being ridden by two males wearing balaclavas, is believed to have been involved in a chase with an electric bike through 97 Avenue and Dahlia Walk, close to Liverpool’s ground, at around 6.30pm.
"The scrambler is believed to have made contact with a number of pedestrians before being brought to a stop by an officer outside the ground. The stop caused the rider and passenger to fall off and they were both arrested.
"There are no reports of any members of the public being seriously injured. One of the riders of the bike suffered facial and shoulder injuries and has received medical treatment.
"The rider of the bike, a 30-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of S5 RTA (drug driving), causing serious injury by dangerous driving and suspected theft of a motor vehicle. The passenger, a 23-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class B drugs, suspected theft of a motor vehicle and other driving offences.
"The bike has been recovered and enquiries into the incident are ongoing. The incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct."
The two people arrested have now been released under investigation.
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