Live updates as bomb squad called to Liverpool Women’s Hospital

From the Liverpool Echo. I really, really, really hope this is a tragic accident or a personal act of suicide, but that it happened at 11 am on Remembrance Sunday is making me ponder. Plus that several groups in the Middle east have deliberately targeted Women’s and Maternity hospitals for ideological reasons of a women’s place being at home. 

15.43 

Person dies as counter terrorism lead investigation into explosion

Chief Constable Serena Kennedy has confirmed that a person has died after a car explosion outside the Liverpool WOmen’s Hospital this morning. Another person has been taken to hospital with serious injured but is not believed to be in a life threatening condition.

Counter Terrorism Police are now leading the investigation supported by Merseyside Police, however it has not been declared a terror incident at this stage. We are keeping an open mind as to what caused the explosion but given how it has happened, out of caution, Counter Terrorism Police are leading the investigation supported by Merseyside Police.

If you have not done so already, sign up to the Merseyside Police Twitter feed @merseypolice “We would like to thank the public for their patience and their cooperation today which has already greatly assisted our policing response.

“We will issue updates as soon as we have more information.

Liverpool Women’s remains cordoned off by emergency services and the public has been urged to remain calm “but vigilant”.

The hospital has been closed to all visitors as the investigation continues.

It is understood that the person who died was a passenger inside the vehicle while the taxi driver managed to get out of the car before it was fully engulfed in flames. Hijacking a taxi to transport a bomb was an IRA trick. 

The incident occurred at 10.59am as the country was preparing to fall silent for Remembrance Sunday commemorations.

The Liverpool Women’s Hospital is just a mile from Liverpool Cathedral where military personnel, veterans were joining civic dignitaries from across the city for a service.

16.46 Armed police cordon off roads across the city

Armed police have reportedly cordoned off a number of roads across the city. It has not yet been confirmed whether these scenes are connected to this morning’s explosion at the Women’s Hospital but our reporters are looking into it. Rutland Avenue in south Liverpool has been cordoned off with residents saying they are not allowed out of their homes.