Taxi Driver, Key to Liverpool Bombing Suspect in Car: Avoid Casualties, Suffer Injuries Due to Explosion

An illustration of a policeman standing guard at the site of an explosion in front of a hospital in Liverpool. (Source: Liverpool City Council Twitter/@lpoolcouncil)

JAKARTA - A taxi driver became a 'hero', after successfully preventing a deadly attack by locking the suspected attacker in the taxi he was driving, because he saw a bomb.

One person died after a car exploded outside the Liverpool Women's Hospital, England on Sunday.

It was David Perry, a quick-thinking taxi driver who was heroically able to prevent more bloodshed, despite his serious injuries. Perry was branded a 'hero of Liverpool' after the attack, which left him with shrapnel wounds and damage to his ear.

A friend said he was in "poor shape" after locking the assailant in his taxi. The bomber died at the scene, police confirmed Sunday afternoon, citing the November 15 Mirror.

Among those paying homage to the hero taxi driver was Billy Darwin, The Sun reported.

He posted on Facebook: "David is almost paying the highest price to save others who seem to be thinking about nothing but making sure he goes above and beyond to keep the people of Our City safe!"

Meanwhile, Kev Cuthbertson wrote: "He was a hero, when he saw the bomb he locked the bastard in the car. But took the brunt of the blast."

Thomas wrote: "The driver was a friend of mine, and saw the passenger acting suspiciously, so he jumped out of the car."

Another, George Cater, wrote: "Please send your prayers of healing to David Perry, the very brave taxi driver who is in critical condition in hospital, having prevented the attack at 11 a.m. this morning at Liverpool Women's Hospital.

"David stopped by the women's hospital and locked the assailant in his taxi after seeing the device."

Several fundraisers have been set up to collect donations for Perry. When contacted by The Mirror, Merseyside Police meanwhile referred the question to Greater Manchester Police (GMP). GMP has not provided further details on Perry's actions.

The Mirror has contacted the maintainers of the pages on Facebook and GoFundMe which have raised more than £1.500 in less than three hours.

Online comments suggest that Perry works for Liverpool-based taxi company Delta, but the company declined to comment when contacted by The Mirror.

Meanwhile, three men have been arrested under the Terrorism Act following the explosion.

Earlier, Merseyside police received reports of an explosion involving a vehicle, believed to be a taxi, near Liverpool Women's Hospital, England at 10.59 a.m. Sunday.

North West Anti-terror Police said three men, aged 29, 26 and 21, were detained in the Kensington area of the city and arrested under the Terrorism Act in connection with the incident.

The male taxi passenger of the car was pronounced dead at the scene and has not been officially identified.

The taxi driver, also a man, was injured at the scene and is undergoing treatment in hospital in a stable condition.

Anti-terror Police said they were keeping an open mind about the cause of the explosion and were working closely with Merseyside Police.

Separately, Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote on Twitter: "My thoughts are with all those affected by the terrible incident in Liverpool today.

"I would like to thank the emergency services for their quick and professional response, and the police for their continued work on the investigation."

Earlier, a Merseyside Police spokesman said: "So far we understand the car involved was a taxi that stopped at the hospital shortly before the explosion occurred.

"We remain open-minded about what caused the explosion but given how it happened, to beware, the anti-terror police are leading the investigation supported by Merseyside Police."

Three of the arrests took place on Sutcliffe Street in the Kensington area of the city. Locals said armed officers stormed a multi-storey house in the afternoon.

Sections of Sutcliffe Street and Boaler Street remain closed, with a heavy police presence at the scene as the investigation continues.