CCTV video shows the moment quick-thinking bystanders rush to the aid of multiple people who were left seriously injured after a car ploughed into them in Derby city centre

Sobering footage captures the aftermath of a car rampage horror in a city centre which left seven people hurt.

Heroic members of the public rushed to the aid of victims who were left seriously injured after a car ploughed into pedestrians in a city centre. Seven people were hurt after the horrific incident, involving a Suzuki Swift, in Derby at around 9.30pm on Saturday evening. Police have since launched a major investigation and are being supported by counter-terror officers.

CCTV footage from a nearby store shows people walking along the road before the crash, when suddenly, after the crash, members of the public are seen worryingly looking down the street before rushing to the scene.

Several bystanders can be seen coming into shot, or out of buildings, before looking down the road and to help the victims, while some are seen on the phone, possibly calling 999. The footage didn’t capture the incident, but caught the quick reactions from people in the city centre.

A car was driven into pedestrians in a city centre street and struck several people in Friar Gate. The injured were treated at the scene before being taken to Royal Derby Hospital and Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham. Police have said the victims’ injuries are serious but non-life-threatening, and that no one died in the incident.

A 36-year-old man, who is described as being originally from India but has lived in the UK for a number of years, was found a short time later and 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. Chief Superintendent Emma Aldred said the suspect was arrested seven minutes after the incident, after being stopped on Station Approach near Pride Park.

Takeaway owner Muharem Celebi told the Mirror of his shock after seeing the aftermath of victims mowed down by the car. Mr Celebi, who was working at the time, said he heard no shouting and screaming but was alerted to commotion outside by sirens, adding: “It was terrible!”

He added: “I ran outside and saw about six people on the floor – on the road and the pavement. Some had blood pouting form their head, it was a terrible thing to see, and shocking.“By the time I was outside and offering my help the police and ambulance were already there. Someone else had raised the alarm and the emergency services responded very quickly.”Mr Celebi, who runs the Derby Grill, said: “It was a busy Saturday night as it always is, and it’s so sad that people enjoying some fun time end up hurt in this way. It is a scary sign of the times we are living through.”His business has CCTV which captured brief images of the suspect’s black Suzuki Swift car fleeing the scene.He said: “The footage didn’t extend to the incident just a bit down the road but I think it shows the black car speeding away. Everyone is just thankful police have caught the man believed to be responsible so soon, and he can’t hurt anyone else.”Medical student Mike McCluskey, whose 60-room accommodation block is at the top of the short street where the incident happened, said: “It is an awful thing to have on our doorsteps and in a busy area.”The mature student, 39, said: “It is very scary. I didn’t see anything but heard the sirens and saw blue flashing lights. I thought nothing of it as you often get police sirens sounding in the area.“But I realised something bad had happened when a fellow student texted me to say ‘Hope you’re OK! It was only when I saw the local news that I found it.“We don’t know who the victims are and we hope that no university students are involved but it could be anyone. I often go for runs along these streets to go out shopping and it could easily have been me out there in the wrong place at that time.”

Derbyshire Police said counter terrorism officers are assisting with the early investigations, but that this “does not mean the incident is currently being treated as terrorism.”

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Witnesses at the scene described seeing chaos and horror unfold in the aftermath. One person described it as “absolute carnage,” as people ran through the streets in panic. Another witness said: “There was like blood leaking from their head and stuff.”

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.

“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.”

The 47-year-old added: “I don’t know who the victims or perpetrator are or whether it was a terror style attack.”

Officers were on the scene just seconds after the collision, and credited eyewitnesses with helping locate the suspect.

“This swift action would not have been possible without eyewitnesses,” Chief Superintendent Aldred said.

She added: “Firstly I would like to send my best wishes to the people who were injured, their friends and families, and to the public who witnessed what will have been a very traumatic thing to see.

“I know this incident will have sent shockwaves through our communities but I would like to reassure people that we have a dedicated team of detectives working on it.”

The city was left reeling, with one local saying: “Everyone was talking about it and panicking… it’s so sad, everyone is so shook up.” Another described an “eerily quiet” city centre where “a corner of it has fallen silent.”

Police are appealing for witnesses, urging anyone who saw a black Suzuki Swift or has information to come forward, quoting incident 1131 of March 28.

Further details from the scene showed the scale of the aftermath, with shoes and blankets littered the scene and debris scattered across the road as forensic investigators worked beyond the cordon. Pictures showed multiple police officers in Friar Gate as the area remained sealed off for hours.

One witness said: “We were walking down the street when it happened. There was screaming and yelling. It was horrendous. It’s sickening. People were being treated all over the pavement and the road. God knows how that has happened.”

A taxi passenger said he was “shaken up” after his driver had to swerve to avoid the damaged car, describing how it was going the wrong direction with heavy damage on it.

Businesses and residents were impacted as Friar Gate and some surrounding streets were closed while an investigation into the circumstances of last night’s incident continues, with drivers told they would not be able to retrieve vehicles until the scene was lifted.

Officials and organisations also reacted to the incident. Derby County Football Club said it was shocked and saddened, adding: “Our thoughts are with all those affected, their families, and the wider community at this difficult time.”

The University of Derby said it was “not aware that any of our students or staff were involved” but had offered support.

Police later confirmed the cordon had been lifted and “all businesses are able to reopen,” thanking the public for their “patience and support” as the investigation continues.