A heroic electrician has described the moment he and others lifted a car to free trapped Liverpool supporters, after a former Royal Marine deliberately drove into crowds celebrating the club's Premier League title win.
A Day of Celebration Turns to Horror
Mike Blair, 30, and his mother Debbie, 55, from Wallasey, Wirral, were on their way to a bar on Water Street on May 26, 2025, when the atmosphere of joy turned to terror. They heard Paul Doyle, 54, 'drop a gear' before his Ford Galaxy 'flew past', triggering screams from the crowd. Initially, both feared they were caught in a terrorist attack.
"Next minute we saw people flying up in the air, shoes and everything," recounted Mrs Blair. "The car was heading right towards me and Mike pushed me out of the way. He saved my life." She described her son as a hero who immediately ran towards the danger, shouting 'We've got to stop the car, there's kids, families'.
Act of Bravery Amidst the Chaos
Mike Blair did not hesitate. He ran to the vehicle, where he saw people pinned underneath. Alongside other bystanders, he helped lift the car, enabling one man to be pulled free from beneath the wheels. "There were just bodies everywhere. It was just crazy, absolutely crazy," Mr Blair said, recalling the scene of devastation.
He noted that Doyle remained 'emotionless' in the driver's seat, simply staring at the steering wheel as panic erupted around him. After the initial rescue, Mr Blair rushed into a nearby bar, found a first aid kit, and grabbed industrial tissues and gloves to distribute to the injured, as paramedics had not yet arrived.
Lasting Trauma and a Lengthy Sentence
The physical and psychological aftermath for the Blairs has been severe. Mike Blair suffered a bruised lung, sprained his arms and back from lifting the car, and later lost two teeth. He has developed a persistent wheeze and finds he can no longer cope with crowds, forcing him to stop his work as a part-time DJ.
Debbie Blair has been plagued by nightmares and has 'hardly left the house' since the attack. The dashcam footage from Doyle's car, which she described as 'mind-blowing', confirmed his deliberate intent to harm. Paul Doyle was today jailed for 21 years and six months after admitting dangerous driving, affray, and injuring 29 fans.
"You can deal with it being an accident, or if he's had a breakdown or something but not deliberate. That's going to affect a lot of people," Mrs Blair stated, summarising the profound impact of the calculated act on the victims and the city of Liverpool.
