Hero taxi driver reportedly locked suicide bomber in his car as he was trying to reach Liverpool Remembrance Day service

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A hero taxi driver is reported to have locked a suicide bomber in his car before he blew himself up outside a Liverpool maternity hospital.

One theory is that the bomber was trying to reach a Remembrance Day service in Liverpool but after getting stuck in traffic diverted the cab to the Liverpool Woman's Hospital.

But the driver is then said to have seen explosives on the man and locked him in the cab before an explosion ripped through the car.

Police have confirmed one man in the car died and another man was seriously injured in the blast at 10.59am on Sunday, just a minute before the two-minute silence held around the country for Remembrance Day.

Police have confirmed the male passenger of the car was declared dead at the scene and is yet to be formally identified. The driver, also a man, was injured at the scene and remains in hospital in a stable condition.

Investigators believe it is unlikely that the explosion was caused by a fault with the vehicle., and counter-terrorism police have been involved in the investigation.

Here is what we know so far:

Three men have been arrested under the Terrorism Act after the blast involving a taxi at Liverpool Women's Hospital at 10.59am on Remembrance Sunday.

The cab driver, who managed to escape before the flames spread, has not been arrested. Police said he is in hospital in a stable condition.

Counter Terrorism Police North West said three men - aged 29, 26, and 21 - were detained in the Kensington area of the city and arrested under the Terrorism Act in connection with the incident.

The three arrests took place in Sutcliffe Street in the Kensington area of the city, where witnesses reported seeing armed officers swoop on a terraced house in the afternoon.

Sections of Sutcliffe Street and Boaler Street remain cordoned off, with a heavy police presence at the scene as inquiries continue.

A similar police scene was in place at Rutland Avenue in Sefton Park, with counter-terror officers sighted in the neighbourhood.

Colleagues of the taxi driver said that he suffered burns and shrapnel injuries which police said are "not life threatening". Describing him as a 'hero', one said he had to have his ear stitched back on.

The Liverpool Echo reported that Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the survivor of the blast was believed to have "left the vehicle prior to the fire developing to the extent that it did".

The incident took place as a Remembrance service, which the Echo said was attended by 2,000 people, was taking place at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral less than a mile away from the scene.

One friend of the driver told MailOnline: "The passenger asked him to go to the cathedral so we believe that was the intended target. But they got stuck in heavy traffic so the passenger asked to go to the hospital instead.”

A colleague said online: "The taxi driver is my mate, and he spotted the passenger acting suspicious. He's in hospital, luckily he escaped just before but he did suffer some injuries."

The Mayor of Liverpool has praised his efforts.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Joanne Anderson said: "The taxi driver, in his heroic efforts, has managed to divert what could have been an absolutely awful disaster at the hospital.

"Our thanks go to him and our emergency services, and authorities have worked through the night to divert anything further and we've all been on standby and in constant contact to provide any support that's needed."

She added: "Well, we knew that the taxi driver had stood out and locked the doors, we knew that early on."

However, she added it was important not to get drawn into speculation about the incident.

Greater Manchester Police, providing updates from Counter Terrorism Police North West, said: "A large cordon is in place on Rutland Avenue in Liverpool and a small number of addresses have been evacuated as a precaution."

Officers wearing vests marked Negotiator entered the cordon earlier on Sunday afternoon.

Locals said police arrived from about 1pm as officers went on to guard a terraced property as the immediate surrounding area was cordoned off.

A number of residents in Rutland Avenue were evacuated from their homes. A police operation remained ongoing past midnight with armed officers within the cordon.

A convoy of seven unmarked vehicles - three vans and four cars - entered the cordon early on Monday morning.

Police are 'keeping an open mind'

Counter-terrorism police have said they are keeping an open mind about the cause of the explosion and are working closely with Merseyside Police.

In a statement, counter-terrorism police north-west said: “We are leading the investigation with support from Merseyside police, and are keeping an open mind as to what has caused the explosion. We are working at a rapid pace to try and establish the circumstances behind this and will update in due course.”

The Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, Serena Kennedy, offered her reassurance over the incident.

"While I understand that today's incident may cause concern in our communities, it should be pointed out that events of this nature are very rare," she said.

"Merseyside Police will continue to liaise with community groups, community leaders, partner agencies and individuals in the coming days and weeks to make sure any concerns are addressed and ensuring that we provide the best possible service to local people.

"There will also be an increased and visible police presence on the streets of Merseyside and I would encourage people to engage with my officers and raise any concerns they may have.

Earlier, images of a vehicle on fire, and later burnt out, outside the hospital were shared online.

A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: "So far we understand that the car involved was a taxi which pulled up at the hospital shortly before the explosion occurred."

Liverpool Women's Hospital said visiting access had been restricted "until further notice". Patients were diverted to other hospitals where possible during most of Sunday.

In a statement, the hospital said: "Anyone with appointments at the hospital will notice an increased security and police presence on site."

Phil Garrigan, chief fire officer of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, said the car fire at Liverpool Women's Hospital was "fully developed" when two appliances arrived shortly after 11am.

He told reporters at the scene: "The operational crews extinguished the fire rapidly but as has been reiterated by the police chief constable, there was one fatality.

"Another individual had left the vehicle prior to the fire developing to the extent that it did."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: "My thoughts are with all those affected by the awful incident in Liverpool today.

"I want to thank the emergency services for their quick response and professionalism, and the police for their ongoing work on the investigation."

Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted: "I am being kept regularly updated on the awful incident at Liverpool Women's Hospital.

"Our police and emergency services are working hard to establish what happened and it is right they are given the time and space to do so."

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