BLADE RAMPAGE
Hero teachers locked kids in toilet to save them from killer – as third child dies after horrific knife attack
It comes as footage shows an individual pacing back and forth outside a nearby house before the attack
TWO hero teachers locked kids in a toilet to save them from a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed event.
Leanne Lucas and colleague Heidi, both 35, bravely protected dozens of kids after a knifeman attacked their summer camp in Southport.
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Two girls - aged six and seven - died after being stabbed to death in the horror attack shortly before midday on Monday.
The third victim was named this afternoon as nine-year-old Alice Aguiar.
A further eight youngsters were stabbed in the attack, five of whom remain in a critical condition.
Yoga instructor Leanne is understood to be one of two female adults also in a critical condition after "bravely trying to protect" the kids at Hart Space Studios.
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She is said to have led some of the youngsters to safety via a fire exit.
A school friend said: "To my knowledge she organised it, she used to be a primary school teacher at a local school.
"She was really, really lovely. I only knew her from high school. Quite quiet, she was a primary school teacher, she wanted to help people.
"That’s why you get into it, to do everything you can and that’s what she’s done."
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Her colleague Heidi escaped uninjured after heroically locking some of the children inside a toilet to keep them safe.
A man said: "She was in the toilet, shut the door and locked it with one of the kids. The other got some kids to the fire exit."
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, of Merseyside Police, said those injured had all suffered stab wounds in the “ferocious attack”.
She added: "We believe that the adults who were injured were bravely trying to protect the children who were being attacked."
Leanne, who’s also a qualified primary school teacher, is the owner and founder of Enlighten - the company which organised the Taylor Swift-themed yoga dance and dance workshop.
Posting a photo of Leanne on Facebook, Sunshine Yoga wrote: "I’m absolutely devastated. Please please pray for Leanne.
"Leanne came on my training course in December. A beautiful young creative girl who was so passionate about helping children.
"I just can’t believe it. Please pray."
According to Leanne’s Facebook page, she had only recently returned to the UK after a holiday in Italy that included a trip to Venice and the Dolomite Mountains.
Founder of Little Sunshine Yoga, Katie Scott, said Leanne had been excited to be teaching a class that morning.
What we know so far...
- Three children have died after being stabbed
- Eight other children were injured and five are in critical condition
- Two adults are also in critical condition after bravely trying to save the youngsters
- Two yoga teachers heroically helped save some of the kids from the attacker
- 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
- Chilling footage shows an individual pacing outside a house before the attack
- 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
- The singer has said she is in "complete shock"
Ms Scott said: "She was telling me she was looking forward to things taking off for her, she loves working with children and had come to one of my training sessions in December.
"She was excited about teaching at the centre that morning. She's a really gentle and kind soul, I am heartbroken to learn she is in hospital and am praying she recovers.
"Her parents will be beside themselves. She is one of the adults who has been stabbed."
An update from Merseyside Police today said: "Sadly we can confirm that third child has passed away as a result of injuries sustained in a knife attack in Southport yesterday morning.
"The nine-year-old girl died in hospital in the early hours of this morning, Tuesday, 30 July.
"We can confirm that the children who died yesterday were girls aged six and seven years.
"Eight other children suffered stab wounds sustained during the attack, and five of them are in a critical condition.
"Two adults are also in a critical condition after being injured during the incident."
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The Taylor Swift- themed holiday club was advertised as including a dance and yoga workshop as well as bracelet making.
The singer took to social media to speak of her devastation following the attack.
She wrote: "The horror of yesterday’s attack in Southport is washing over me continuously, and I’m just completely in shock.
"The loss of life and innocence, and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families, and first responders.
“These were just little kids at a dance class.
“I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families."
The heroic actions of the two teachers comes as local businessman Jonathan Hayes, 63, was stabbed in the leg while trying to disarm the knifeman.
Mr Hayes had run into the dance studio after hearing screams from his office.
A 17-year-old boy from Banks, Lancashire, has been arrested on suspicion of murder, the force said.
The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is in custody accused of murder and attempted murder.
It comes after a masked man has been pictured outside a house that was later raided by police.
A video obtained by ITV shows an individual wearing a green hoodie and face mask pacing back and forth outside the front door.
The doorbell footage then shows several police cars and a group of officers, including some who are armed, appearing at the same house.
Southport summer camp attack timeline
Monday, July 29
10am
Taylor Swift-themed yoga and dance workshop begins at The Hart Space in Hart Street
11.47am
Police are called to reports of a stabbing and a major incident is declared
Emergency services later say the scene was “horrific” and “chaotic” as they arrived at the children’s club
5.25pm
Police say 17-year-old male was arrested, before later clarifying he had been detained on suspicion of murder and attempted murder
7.18pm
Police confirm two young children, aged six and seven, have died following the horror attack
Tuesday, July 30
8.30am
Police confirm the suspect remains in custody and continues to be questioned
10.30am
Taylor Swift posts tribute on Instagram, saying she is "completely in shock"
12.30pm
Police confirm a third child, a nine-year-old girl, has died in hospital
A staff member at the Hart Space, who wanted to remain anonymous, said she heard the suspect was wearing a "black hood" when he reportedly stabbed multiple children.
Police have said that, although the motive for the attack is unclear, it is not believed to be terror-related.
They 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 okay, they posted the other day that they were full for this Taylor Swift holiday club this morning.”
At the scene, meanwhile, flowers and teddies have been left by the police cordon.
One message in a “Thinking Of You” card said “thoughts and prayers” are with those affected and was signed: “Love – Southport.”
Another added: “Fly high with angels little ones.”
Merseyside Police declared a major incident as armed response vehicles, 13 ambulances and the fire service descended on the mass casualty scene.
Meanwhie, the King said he and the Queen had been "profoundly shocked" to hear of the "utterly horrific incident in Southport today".
The Prince and Princess of Wales described it as a "horrid and heinous" attack.
They added: "As parents, we cannot begin to imagine what the families, friends and loved ones of those killed and injured in Southport today are going through."
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper laid flowers at the police cordon on Tuesday.
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The Home Secretary stood for a few moments looking at the tributes before laying her flowers and reading some of the messages left by others.
She is understood to have met with first responders in the town earlier.
Merseyside Police statement in full
Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: “It is with great sadness that today I am here to advise that two young children have died as a result of injuries sustained in a knife attack this morning.
“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.
“Two adults are also in a critical condition after being injured during the incident.
“A 17-year-old male from Banks in Lancashire, who was born in Cardiff, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder and has been taken to a police station where he will be interviewed by detectives
“My officers were called to reports of a stabbing at 11.47am 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.
“It is understood that the children were attending a Taylor Swift event at a dance school when the offender, who was armed with a knife, walked into the premises and started to attack those inside.
“We believe that the adults who were injured were trying to protect the children at the time they were attacked.
“As a mum of two daughters, and the nanna of a five-year-old granddaughter, I cannot begin to imagine the pain and suffering the families of the victims are currently going through and I want to send them our heartfelt condolences and sympathies.
“Our specialist family liaison officers are providing support to the families at this terrible time.
“I would appeal to anyone who witnessed anything, or who has information that could help our investigation or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
“Anyone who has been affected by this incident, can contact our Victim Care Merseyside service for help and support.
“Our hub of local, trained staff is here to provide free, emotional and practical support tailored to your needs.
“You can contact Victim Care Merseyside for help whether you have reported a crime to the police or not by calling Freephone 0808 175 3080 on weekdays between 8am and 6pm or request support online at any time at www.victimcaremerseyside.org.”
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