Police have arrested a man aged 30 after seven people were left seriously injured when a black Suzuki Swift car ploughed into them in the centre of Derby on Saturday night

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Forensics investigating the scene in Derby where seven pedestrians were left seriously injured(Image: PA)

A dad has told of his “sheer horror”’ after witnessing a city centre car rampage in which a driver mowed down pedestrians, leaving seven seriously injured.

A 30 year old man, originally from India, was arrested after a black Suzuki Swift car allegedly ploughed directly into a crowd in Derby city centre at around 9.30pm on Saturday.

Seven people suffered a range of injuries but none are thought to be life threatening. Paramedics treated some ‘seriously injured’ victims at the scene before they were taken to hospital.

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Paramedics raced to the scene to treat those seriously injured in Derby during their Saturday night out(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)

Shocked Mark Lucas, who was on the scene soon after the horror, said: “It was carnage. There were people lying injured on the ground with blood pouring from their heads. It was a sight I wish I’d never seen. It was sheer horror.’

Welder Mr Lucas, dad of a 13-year-old son, raced to the scene in busy Friar Gate in Derby last night after hearing the “blaring of police and ambulance sirens.”

The local resident said: “I live around the corner and by the time I got there the street full of bars, clubs, restaurants and takeaways had been sealed off.’

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Forensics remove items from the scene(Image: PA)

“There was lots of commotion and I could see some people lying … on the ground badly injured. A few had blood pouring from them and others were trying to help. The scenes were chaotic and terrifying.”

He said: “I don’t know who the victims or perpetrator are or whether it was a terror style attack.”

As Mr Lucas, 47, revisited the scene today he pointed through the police tape to where he had seen fallen victims.

Trainers, sunglasses, a watch and what appeared to be part of a car, still littered the scene alongside discarded bandages, paramedics blue gloves and blankets used to keep the injured out of shock and warm.

On Sunday, forensic experts were busy scouring the site collecting potential evidence as police continued to quiz a man in his 30s,of Indian origin on suspicion of attempted murder.

Mr Lucas told how the streets were “always rammed on Saturday nights’ with locals and students. He said: “Friar Gate has lots of clubs and pubs and people milling around outside eating takeaways. Tensions in the area have been building up” describing it as “unrest locally”.

Another local resident, a woman aged 50, told of drug addicts plaguing the area. “Whenever you walk around you feel intimated, threatened and harassed.” The woman, who declined to be named, said: ‘It’s a horrible place to live now and I can’t wait to move away.

“People walk around in a zombie like state, they are very unfriendly and just stare at you…The incident that happened is shocking and scary. I didn’t see it but I heard all the emergency services as I live up the road.”

A Derbyshire Police spokesperson said: ”We can confirm that seven people were injured when a car was driven into pedestrians in a city centre street.

“The car, a black Suzuki Swift, struck a number of people in Friar Gate at about 9.30pm on Saturday 28 March.

“Seven people were treated at the scene by ambulance crews and taken to Royal Derby Hospital and Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham. The seven suffered a range of serious but not life-threatening injuries and we can confirm that contrary to online speculation, no one died in the incident.”

The force spokesperson added: ‘A man in his 30s, who is originally from India, was found a short time after the incident.

“He was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, causing serious injury through dangerous driving, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, and dangerous driving. He remains in police custody. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing and we are keeping an open mind as to the motives.

A taxi passenger said he was left shaken up after his driver had to dodge a badly damaged car. Another, John Gotti commented: “Saw the vehicle around quakers way headed towards King Street going the wrong direction with heavy damage on it around 9:31 pm hope everyone involved is okay.”

Paul Hawkins said on Facebook: “We were in a taxi heading home and the heavily damaged car turned right out of lodge lane on to the one way on quaker way. Our driver had to beep his horn and swerve to miss him. Car was a mess this was just after 9:30. Hope everyone is hurt makes a speedy recovery.”

He added: “It shook me up at the time and had no idea what had unfolded in the centre of Derby”.

Nadine Peatfield, leader of Derby City Council, has said in a statement. “I am horrified by the incident in our city centre on Saturday evening, where several pedestrians were injured after being struck by a vehicle.

“My thoughts, and those of the entire city, are with those injured, their families, and everyone who witnessed this distressing event. I want to thank the emergency services for their rapid response and professional care under such difficult circumstances.

“Our frontline responders do an incredible job, and the safety of our residents remains our absolute priority We are working closely with Derbyshire Police as they investigate the circumstances of this incident. I urge anyone with information to contact the Police immediately to assist with their investigation.

“Please continue to avoid the affected area to allow officers to carry out their vital work”.