In a harrowing account of survival, Leanne Lucas, a yoga instructor, recounted her experience of being attacked during a tragic stabbing incident at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Southport last summer. The incident, which took place in July 2022, resulted in the deaths of three young children: nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, six-year-old Bebe King, and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe. The perpetrator, Axel Rudakubana, who was only 17 at the time of the attack, later received a life sentence, with a minimum jail term of 52 years, for his actions.
Speaking to the BBC’s Panorama, Ms Lucas described the chaos and terror as she was attacked, suffering five stab wounds to various parts of her body, including her spine and lung. “I just knew that if I didn’t get out, everyone was going to die,” she said. Despite her injuries, Ms Lucas emphasised a determination to rescue the children in her care. She managed to lead several of them towards the exit, shouting for them to run. In a critical moment, she called emergency services for help while on the landing outside the classroom.
A fellow survivor, 14-year-old Sarah, whose identity is protected by a court order, also shared her experience. She recalled seeing the younger children huddled together and feeling the urgency of the situation. “I thought that he wasn’t going to stop until he killed everyone. I thought that he wanted to kill us all,” she said. In a decisive act, Sarah physically pushed the children down the stairs, prioritising their escape.
Once outside the building, Ms Lucas attempted to rally assistance from passersby. She described her frantic state as she urged people on the street to help the children, stating, “My brain is going 100 miles an hour but my body won’t do anything.” Despite the confusion and urgency of the situation, her focus remained on ensuring the safety of the children.
The incident marked a tragic event that has left a lasting impact on the community in Southport and beyond, highlighting the bravery of those who fought to save lives amidst an unimaginable act of violence.
Source: Noah Wire Services