THIS is the dramatic moment a taxi exploded in a fireball just seconds after pulling up outside a hospital in a Remembrance Sunday bomb blast.

Shocking footage shows the car driving up to the entrance of Liverpool Women's Hospital before stopping at the reception.

It then explodes in a cloud of smoke and debris just seconds later as a stunned bystander watches on.

Shards of metal can be seen flying through the air and raining down on parked cars.

Witnesses then rush over to the help as black smoke billows above.

Moments later, flames begin shooting from the shattered wreckage of the taxi as it becomes engulfed in a fireball.

Driver Dave Perry can be seen leaping from the inferno in a daze and rushing away from the thick smoke.

He was was injured during the Remembrance Sunday horror but has been hailed a hero for locking the suspect in the car.

His brave actions meant the male passenger carrying the bomb was the only person killed.

The suspected terrorist had asked Dave to drive him to the cathedral where 1,200 people had gathered for services to remember fallen soldiers.

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But he changed his mind and instead wanted to be taken to the hospital, it is reported.

A source told the Daily Mail: "It was just before 11am. David noticed the man had some kind of light attached to his clothing and was messing around with it, it didn't look right at all."

The cabbie has been praised by pals on social media as it was confirmed today he has been released from hospital and is recovering at home.

Billy Darwin said: "DAVID PERRY The Liverpool HERO!!!!”

He added: “David nearly paid the ultimate price to save others, apparently not giving anything a second thought besides making sure he went above and beyond to keep the people of Our City safe!”

Stephen Thomas added: “The driver is my mate, and spotted the passenger acting suspiciously, so he jumped out the car.”

He went on: “This guy blew himself up, but my friend is OK. He sustained a few injuries, burns, burst eardrums and some shrapnel, but he’s OK.”

While Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "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."

Armed police swooped on the hospital just before 11am yesterday after the blast in a car park.

Horrified witnesses reported hearing a "loud bang" and seeing "dark smoke" as the car went up in flames.

Dramatic pictures showed the car on fire just inches from the main entrance to the hospital, where 30 babies are born each day.

Terror cops and MI5 are now investigating the explosion but said it has not been declared a terror attack.

It is understood officers are investigating whether the timing was deliberate as it came when the nation fell silent for Remembrance Sunday services across the country.

Three suspects – aged 29, 26 & 21 – have been arrested under the Terrorism Act.

TERROR PROBE

Staff had to evacuate some patients and transfer them to other hospitals as the Army bomb squad sealed off the area.

The North West Counter Terrorism Unit, leading the probe, said: "The passenger of the vehicle – a man – 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.

"We 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."

Home Secretary Priti Patel said she is "being kept regularly updated" on the terror probe.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "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."

Liverpool Women’s Hospital announced visiting access is restricted "until further notice" and patients will be sent to other medical facilities "where possible".

A spokesperson said staff will be reviewing "patient activity for the next 24 to 48 hours" and assured support is available for anyone impacted by the incident.

Liverpool Women’s Hospital featured on hit Channel 4 series One Born Every Minute and sees 500,000 patients a year.

The hospital — where Coleen Rooney gave birth to her four sons — has around 1,350 staff who work there.

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