Nottingham van attack: 3 dead, suspect arrested, multiple injuries reported

A witness recounted the terrifying moment when a white van struck two people in Nottingham city centre, following which a 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder. Three individuals were found dead in the city centre early on Tuesday, with two discovered on Ilkeston Road and another on Magdala Road. Police were subsequently called to Milton Street, where a van had attempted to run over three more people, who are currently receiving treatment in hospital.

The witness, named Frances, described hearing a sudden “bang” and “screaming” as she was on her way to work around 5.30am. She had just alighted from a bus and was crossing the road near Theatre Royal when she heard the collision. Turning around, she saw two people lying on the road and a van, which sped off moments later.

Frances rushed to help the injured pair, a man and a woman. The woman, who had sustained head injuries, was in pain but able to speak. The man appeared to have borne the brunt of the impact and also had head injuries but remained conscious at the time.

Reflecting on the incident, Frances said she initially thought it was a hit-and-run and only later learned that three people had been killed and another injured. She commended the police and ambulance crew for their swift and efficient response.

Another witness described hearing “awful, blood-curdling screams” as two people were stabbed in the city centre. The unnamed individual saw a man dressed in black with a hood and rucksack grappling with people on Ilkeston Road near Bright Street around 4am. He witnessed the attacker repeatedly stab a man and a woman before calmly walking away.

The witness called the police, who arrived within five minutes, and paramedics attempted to revive the victims for 40 minutes. Meanwhile, Glen Gretton, a 46-year-old delivery driver, reported being woken up around 5am by the sounds of multiple police cars speeding past his home, indicating a major incident was unfolding in the city centre.