Image source, PA Media

A night out on one of the most popular stretches in Derby city centre took a tragic turn on Saturday evening when a car struck pedestrians, leaving seven people injured.

Emergency services flocked to the scene at Friar Gate, and seven people were taken to hospital with "serious but not life-threatening" injuries, police have said.

A 36-year-old man, who is originally from India but has been living in the UK for several years, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in police custody.

In one of several updates from authorities today, we heard that Derbyshire detectives are co-operating with counter-terrorism police - but police stress this is "common practice for an incident of this nature" and are keeping an "open mind" about possible motives.

One eyewitness, Mark Lucas, described seeing people all "over the floor", while another told the Derby Telegraph of their shock: "People have been crying, I just can’t believe something like this has happened."

Derbyshire police are urging witnesses - or anybody with relevant information - to contact them.

• We're ending our live coverage now, but you can stay up-to-date with the latest on this story on our website

In a statement the University of Derby said: "We are aware of an incident that took place in Derby last night.

"We have not been made aware that any of our students or staff were involved but have contacted them to offer support.

"Our university buildings are operating as usual and our thoughts are with everyone affected."

Image source, University of Derby

The police cordon which was put in place after the incident has lifted.

Officers confirmed the road was reopened at 15:00 BST.

A spokesman for the force says: "All businesses are able to reopen, vehicles are able to be recovered, and residents are able to return to their homes. Thank you for your patience and support."

Image source, Derbyshire Police

Image source, PA Media

Car hits pedestrians: A car hits pedestrians in Derby city centre at 21:30 GMT on Saturday. Officers are on the scene "just seconds" after the collision, according to Derbyshire Police.

Suspect arrested: The suspected driver is arrested "on the other side of the city centre" seven minutes later, police say.

Black Suzuki Swift: The first police update is issued at 23:00, saying a man has been arrested. Police say the incident involved a black Suzuki Swift and happened in Friar Gate. This is one of the most popular stretches for a night out in Derby.

Injuries "serious but not life-threatening": Police issue a second statement at 08:45 BST on Sunday, confirming that seven people were injured. Injuries are "serious but not life-threatening". A man in his 30s, "originally from India", was found "a short time after the incident" and arrested, they add.

Counter-terrorism assisting: A third police statement is issued at 13:00, saying Derbyshire detectives are leading the investigation with the support of counter-terrorism police. This is "common practice for an incident of this nature" and police are keeping an "open mind" about possible motives, they say.

The statement clarifies that the man is "originally from India", but has lived in the UK for a number of years.

"Isolated incident": In a news conference at 14:15, police say they believe it is an "isolated incident" with "no wider risk to the public". A 36-year old man who lives in Derby remains in police custody, they say.

Derbyshire Police has said it still wants to speak to witnesses and anyone with relevant information.

Anyone who can help has been asked to get in touch, external quoting incident 1131 of 28 March.

Witnesses have described seeing a scene of panic following the incident on Saturday night in the centre of Derby.

One witness told the Mirror, external it was "absolute carnage" with people lying in the road and on the pavement.

"We knew people who were in other bars and thought it might have been them", one eyewitness who had been in a bar nearby told the Derby Telegraph, external.

"It’s so sad, everyone is so shook up. People have been crying, I just can’t believe something like this has happened.”

"It was such a frightening experience. We must have [just] missed it," another witness told the Derby Telegraph. "We just had to get out of there. It's just so sad."

Image source, PA Media

Mark Lucas, 47, who lives near Friar Gate, was at the scene with his son around 10 minutes after the incident happened.

He told the Press Association he saw people "over the floor" and a large emergency presence.

Mr Lucas described seeing paramedics trying to help two people on the floor, who appeared to be “seriously hurt” and “weren’t moving”.

He said that Derby is not the type of place where people say “it never happens here”.

Derby County has released a statement which said the club was "shocked and saddened" by the incident.

"Our thoughts are with all those affected, their families, and the wider community at this difficult time," the statement added.

"We would also like to place on record our sincere thanks to the emergency services who responded so quickly and professionally."

In their news conference, Derbyshire Police revealed the suspect's car was stopped on the bridge that approaches the business and retail park where the club's Pride Park Stadium is located.

Image source, PA Media

Aldred says police believe this is an "isolated incident" with "no wider risk to the public".

A 36-year old man who lives in Derby remains in police custody.

The arrested man is "originally from India", "but has lived in the UK for a number of years", she says.

"At this stage, I am unable to give any further details about him," she adds.

Aldred thanks members of the public who came to the aid of those injured and helped provide first aid.

She confirms that the suspected driver was arrested seven minutes after the incident took place and he was safely stopped where a bridge crosses over towards Pride Park, the business and retail park around Pride Park Stadium.

Aldred says the vehicle was driven away from the scene and the swift action of officers would not have been possible without eyewitnesses who contacted police.

Image source, PA Media

Ch Supt Emma Aldred is now giving an update.

She calls it a "horrific incident that has understandably shocked the city".

Officers were on the scene "just seconds" after the vehicle collided with pedestrians, she said.

While none of those hit have life-threatening physical injuries, Aldred says she's sure the impact on them "is just beginning to be felt".

She says words can't change events, but her thoughts are with those affected.

Derbyshire Police were due to give a news conference at 13:00 GMT. The BBC then heard it would be taking place at 14:00 GMT.

In the meantime, the force released a new statement at 13:00 GMT, explaining counter-terror officers are supporting police with the investigation.

We are now expecting to hear from Ch Supt Emma Aldred, who leads policing in Derby, at the scene at 14:15 GMT.

We will bring you the latest updates and you can watch the news conference in the link at the top of the page.

Steve Beech
BBC Derby

Forensic teams have just taken four bags from the scene.

They continue to work in Friar Gate.

Image source, PA M

Derbyshire Police put out a press release at 13:00 BST which confirmed:

• A 36-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after pedestrians were struck by a car in Derby continues to be questioned today.
• Seven people were injured – some seriously – when they were hit by a black Suzuki Swift in Friar Gate at about 21:30 GMT on Saturday.
• The suspect is "originally from India" but had lived in the UK for a number of years.

Police also said in their statement that Derbyshire detectives are leading the investigation with the support of Counter Terrorism Policing colleagues.

They said this was "common practice for an incident of this nature" and officers were "keeping an open mind about the potential motives".

Steve Beech
BBC Derby

The scene on Sunday is eerily quiet, with lots of police tape cordoning off the area and officers standing guard.

But it would have been a very different picture on Saturday night as the area is filled with restaurants and bars and is very popular with students.

Derby is a city but in many ways feels like a big town due to its community spirit.

There is a real sense of shock from people walking past the scene earlier, a feeling that this sort of thing doesn't happen around here.

Inside the cordon, debris, including shoes and clothing, litters the road and forensic officers in white suits are walking along Friar Gate taking pictures.

Image source, Jacob King/PA Wire

Derby North MP Catherine Atkinson has arrived at the scene and is speaking to reporters.

She told the BBC: "Like many I remain really shocked. You don't expect this to happen in our city.

"And while obviously it's very quiet this morning, last night when we would have had so many students who would have broken up for Easter, it would have been a really busy time."

Atkinson said she had close family "who were here last night and there will be many loved ones wanting to ensure that people are safe".

She said she had been speaking with police and her colleagues this morning.

"I think that everyone is utterly stunned by what has happened," she said.

"Obviously the focus is on making sure that those who have been injured are looked after, but I'm hugely grateful for the swift action that we've seen from the emergency services."

Derbyshire Police have just issued an update - our previous post has a summary.

Ch Supt Emma Aldred - who leads policing in Derby - says the incident has sent "shockwaves" through the community, but reassured people that a "dedicated team of detectives" is working on it.

"Thanks to the fast actions of officers, working on eyewitness information from the public, we were able to quickly arrest the suspect in the city just a few minutes after the incident took place," she says.

Police will provide updates "as quickly as we can", she says, but warns that they could take "a bit of time due to the complexity of the incident".

She shared her best wishes with victims, their families and the public.

Derbyshire Police provided an updated statement at 13:00, in which it confirmed the arrested man was 36 and had lived in the UK "for a number of years".

The statement described him as a "Derby man" who was "originally from India". He remains in police custody, the force said.

The statement added: "Derbyshire detectives are leading the investigation with the support of Counter Terrorism Policing colleagues, which is common practice for an incident of this nature, and are keeping an open mind about the potential motives.

"Although counter-terrorism officers are assisting us with those early investigations, this does not mean the incident is currently being treated as terrorism."

We have just heard that the news conference with Derbyshire Police will now take place at 14:00 BST. It was originally expected at 13:00.

You'll be able to watch live at the top of the page. We'll also bring you text updates throughout.

A resident who lives near Friar Gate has described seeing people on the floor at the scene.

Mark Lucas, 47, said: “I ended up coming down with my son and I realised it was a big incident – people were over the floor and there were a lot of police and ambulances. I was with my son so I quickly sort of got him out the way.”

Lucas, who builds skips and containers for work, said “no-one really knew what actually happened” at the scene.

“We didn’t know the car had run people over,” he added and described seeing paramedics trying to help two people on the floor, who appeared to be “seriously hurt” and “weren’t moving”.

Image source, PA

Our colleagues at BBC Radio Derby have also been bringing listeners regular updates from the scene - and will be carrying the Derbyshire Police news conference live. You will be able to listen here.