SUMMER CAMP TRAGEDY
Two children killed and 6 critical after suspect, 17, launched horrific knife rampage at Taylor Swift event in Southport
Three other children and two adults were also injured in the chaos
TWO children have been killed and six are in critical condition after being stabbed at a Taylor Swift-themed event.
Three other youngsters were injured in scenes described as a "horror film" in Southport, Merseyside, today.
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A 17-year-old boy from Banks, Lancashire, has been arrested on suspicion of murder, the force said.
Two female teachers who bravely tried to defend the children are also in critical condition after being injured.
Dozens of youngsters had gathered for a Taylor Swift "yoga and dance" holiday club when the horror unfolded.
Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: "Today, I'm here to advise that two children have died as a result of the injuries sustained in this morning's knife attack.
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“Nine other children have been injured, and six of them are in a critical condition.
“All those injured have suffered stab wounds sustained during the attack, and two adults are also in a critical condition after being injured during the incident.
“A 17-year-old male from Banks in Lancashire, who is originally from Cardiff has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
“And he's been taken to a police station where he will be interviewed by detectives.
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“My officers were called to reports of a stabbing at 11.47 this morning, at an address in Southport.
“When they arrived they were shocked to find that multiple people, many of whom were children, had been subjected to a ferocious attack and had suffered serious injuries.
Southport major incident: Several people injured in stabbing on residential street as armed cops swoop
“It is understood that the children were attending a Taylor Swift event at a dance school when the offender armed with a knife walked into the premises and started to attack the children inside.
“We believe that the adults who were injured were bravely trying to protect the children who were being attacked.
“As a mum and a nana I can't begin to imagine the pain and suffering that the families of the victims are going through at this moment in time, and I wish to send my heartfelt condolences to them.
“Our specialist Family Liaison Officers are providing support to the families of the deceased children and the children who are injured at this moment in time and we'll be working with our partners including Sefton council to provide that wider trauma support to those who've been affected by this incident.”
What we know so far...
- Two children have died after being stabbed
- Nine other children were injured and six are in critical condition
- Two adults are also in critical condition after bravely trying to save the youngsters
- Armed police were called to the scene on Hart Street, Southport, at 11.50am
- A 17-year-old boy has been detained and a knife seized
- Patients have been taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby Hospital
- The attack is understood to have taken place at a Taylor Swift-themed event
Terror cops have "offered support" to police probing the horror - but it is not understood to be terror-related.
The King and Queen led tributes and are among those who have sent their "deepest sympathies" to the families of those affected.
Meanwhile, the Princess and Prince of Wales also made a heartfelt statement following the horror.
Cops rushed to a property in Hart Street, Southport, at around 11.50am today as chaos erupted on the road.
The youngsters were said to have been attacked during the chaos at the pop star-themed yoga and dance workshop.
Locals said the suspect had got out of a taxi minutes before noon before he launched his attack.
He accessed the Hart Space Studios because a door was left open amid sweltering heat.
The suspect then fled and locals reportedly barricaded homes with the teenager later arrested soon after at a gym.
Officers confirmed that the 17-year-old is from the Banks area but originally from Cardiff.
But police stressed that they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the stabbing.
Multiple witnesses have reported spotting a man with a "black hood" at the scene of the horror.
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A staff member at the Hart Space, who wanted to remain anonymous, said she had heard the suspect was wearing a "black hood" when he stabbed multiple kids.
She had also heard from onlookers that children had been spotted running from the building covered in blood following the horrific ordeal.
The staff member said: "There were probably 25 children there because that's the max we have there and they had reached the max.
"I don't even know if the teachers are ok, they posted the other day that they were full for this Taylor Swift holiday club this morning.
"It was apparently a guy with a black hooded top on. But he's been arrested."
Another witness told that he saw a man in a face mask refusing to pay a taxi driver before fleeing the scene.
Moments later he saw young girls stumble out of the workshop covered in blood before calling the police.
A local business owner, who was one of the people who called the police, said the incident was akin to a "scene in a horror movie."
Leigh Walton, 50, who owns Yates Motor Engineers on the same street said: “Police have been searching out back yard as the man went on the run and were checking under cars for him.
“The house is not advertised as a nursery but it is one. This is a shocking incident, it’s not a crime hub round there, it’s a quiet area.
"I've heard several children were injured and there are more than 50 police vehicles in attendance and air ambulances circling overhead.
“I saw the armed response black Volvo race to the scene and parents looking distressed."
A large police cordon has been put up around the building in Hart Road, with police officers guarding either end.
North West Ambulance Service has confirmed eight patients have been rushed to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby Hospital.
Colin Parry, owner of Masters Vehicle Body Repairs on Hart Street, added: "The mothers are coming here now and screaming. It is like a scene from a horror movie."
"Police have got him. It's like something from America, not like sunny Southport."
Mr Parry told BBC Radio 5 Live that a builder helped lead some of the children away from the scene of the attack and neighbours helped take "about 10 girls to safety".
"The community was coming together, everyone was trying to help. Everyone was trying to save the young kids," he added.
Ryan Carney, who lives with mum Hayley on the road, said he rushed home from work to be with her after she saw the incident.
Speaking at the cordon, he added: "She went out to see what was going on, because she could hear screaming and crying, so she goes out.
"All she said was she saw members of, I don't know, either police or ambulance, carrying out a few girls.
"She came out and there was a woman who was screaming, saying she can't find her child.
"They let her into the cordon and she ran down and all she could hear was screaming and crying, saying 'that's my child! That's my child!'
"She's gone inside to the house, I've called her, she's in a terrible, terrible way."
The witness recalled seeing emergency services carrying out a couple of injured girls.
A resident who lives on the street said he was at home when a woman pulled up outside in a car screaming at around midday.
He said: “She was screaming ‘my daughter’s been stabbed’.
“The woman was in hysterics. Then two police cars rushed up the street the other way.
“I helped to get her back up to where the police cars and ambulances were.
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“She didn’t look great but my focus was on getting her back up the street to get help.
“When I got back up the street there were a couple of kids on the floor being seen to by paramedics and, as I came back, more police cars were going down and more ambulances gradually started to arrive.”
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