‘It hasn’t sunk in – maybe it never will’ – Liverpool parade ‘hero’ recalls day of terror

Dan Barr, who climbed into Paul Doyle's car and moved the gear selector into park to stop the car. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA

Dan Barr, a former soldier, has been hailed as a hero for jumping into the car of the man who drove into crowds of pedestrians at the Liverpool FC parade, Paul Doyle, and bringing the rampage to a halt. His “exceptional courage” was commended with a High Sheriff award by judge Andrew Menary KC. Here, the 41-year-old from Birkenhead, Merseyside, describes what happened.

I just remember seeing an opportunity of his car being there. I was about five paces away. There was a perfect gap from me to the door. So I ran in as quick as I could.