Liverpool fans seriously injured in trophy parade crash instruct expert lawyers to help them access specialist rehab

A woman who fled the war in Ukraine has described being seriously injured in the Liverpool trophy parade as “one of the most traumatic experiences” of her life.

Anna Bilonozhenko suffered serious leg injuries when she was hit by Paul Doyle’s Ford Galaxy in Water Street.

The 43-year-old, who had attended the event with her daughter Sasha, 22, as a way “to reconnect with something positive” after a difficult year in which Anna also lost her mum, clung on to the bonnet of Doyle’s vehicle so not to get dragged under the vehicle.

As Doyle stopped Anna fell off the bonnet on to the ground. Sasha managed to help drag her mum away from near the front tyres of Doyle’s vehicle in the seconds before he then drove off into more people.

Anna, of North Wales, suffered a fractured left leg. She required surgery to insert metalwork and a bone graft, and was unable to weight bear or leave her home for months following the incident. Her recovery from her injuries is still ongoing.

She is among a group injured by Doyle to have instructed expert serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help them access the specialist support and rehab she requires. Anna is believed to be among those most seriously injured in the incident, law firm Irwin Mitchell said.

Anna, who with Sasha came to the UK from their home of Kyiv in 2024, said: “The move to the UK was extremely difficult - we had to leave behind our home, family, and everything familiar. Starting a new life in another country was both emotionally and physically challenging, but we tried to stay strong and rebuild our lives together.

“After a few months of grieving for my mum and slowly beginning to heal, I thought that spending a day out together might help lift our spirits and bring a bit of light back into our lives.

“As a Liverpool supporter, I believed the celebrations would be a way to reconnect with something positive. I never imagined that what began as a fun-filled day would turn into one of the most traumatic experiences of our lives.

“When we were walking on Water Street back to the train station I saw people start to run in different directions. Then I saw a car coming straight towards us. Everything happened so quickly that I didn’t have time to react.

“I remember pushing Sasha out of the way and holding onto the bonnet. The pain was unbearable because my leg was broken, but I knew I had to try and hold on so I wouldn’t fall under the wheels and die. I was terrified, screaming in pain, completely confused and unable to understand what was happening.

“Suddenly, the car stopped and I realised that I was lying directly in front its wheels, and if it moved again, it would run over me.”

Approaching six months on Anna and Sasha continue to live the effects of what happened.

Anna added: “There were injured people lying on the ground everywhere and we thought some of them were dead.

“Since the incident, I’ve suffered from constant physical pain and significantly limited mobility. Even now, everyday activities such as getting dressed, cooking, or walking around the house take much longer and often require her help. Standing or walking for more than a few minutes is painful and exhausting.

“We came to this country because of the war hoping to finally feel safe. At first, we did. But now it feels like losing safety all over again and my studies to improve my career prospects are on hold.

“I still hope that one day, we will both be able to feel safe again and that by getting the rehabilitation I need, I can overcome my injuries as much as possible to create a better life for us and give something back to the country that has been so kind and welcoming to us.”