Hero who stopped Liverpool parade attack awarded

A man who helped stop a car as it was driven into crowds at Liverpool FC's victory parade has been presented with an award for his "exceptional bravery".

Former soldier Dan Barr, 41, managed to get into the back seat of the two-tonne Ford Galaxy as driver Paul Doyle, 54, smashed his way through a dense crowd of pedestrians on 26 May last year.

Barr, from Birkenhead in Wirral, reached forward and pushed the gear stick of the automatic vehicle out of drive mode and into park, which prevented Doyle from accelerating further.

On Thursday he was presented with the High Sheriff's Award for Bravery in a ceremony at Liverpool Crown Court.

Recorder of Liverpool Andrew Menary KC, who jailed Doyle for 21 years and six months in December, told Mr Barr: "What you did that day mattered.

"It mattered to those who were injured. It mattered to their families. It mattered to the emergency services working desperately to regain control of a chaotic scene. And it mattered to this city.

"In recognising you today, we also recognise something larger - the resilience and solidarity of the people of Liverpool and the enduring truth that even in moments of darkness, courage and humanity prevail."

Barr attended the ceremony with his mother, Honora.

He said: "I feel very privileged and I'm really proud of this."

Judges and court staff were present to see High Sheriff of Merseyside Billy Hui present Barr with a framed certificate which read: "This certificate is awarded to Daniel Barr in recognition of his exceptional bravery and presence of mind during the events of May 26 2025 in the city of Liverpool.

"In circumstances of real and immediate danger arising during a large public celebration, he acted selflessly to assist those at risk and to reduce the likelihood of further serious harm.

"His calm courage, concern for others, and willingness to place himself in danger to help those around him reflect the very best of civic responsibility and merit the court's highest commendation."

He also received £250.

Barr, a builder's labourer who served for eight years in the Royal Engineers, said last year that he did not think he did "anything special" when he ran towards the car on Liverpool's Water Street shortly after 18:00 BST that evening.

He said he assumed the car was locked and was intending to try and smash a window, but tried a door handle which to his surprise was unlocked.

He said the experience had left him traumatised, and told the BBC at the time of Doyle's sentencing: "I'm not the same since that day."

Doyle, a father-of-three from Croxteth, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, affray, 17 charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, nine counts of causing GBH with intent and three counts of wounding with intent.

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