by Mick the Ram

In a horrifying incident in the seaside town of Southport, Merseyside, three children have been killed and eight others injured – five critically – after a knife attack at a dance workshop for 6 to 11 year-olds.

Two of the children aged six and seven died at the scene, and sadly a third aged nine lost her fight for life later at hospital.

The children were part of a group of 25 enjoying a Taylor Swift-themed class in the first week of their summer holidays, when a man burst in and inexplicably launched a ferocious attack on the innocent class and immediately there were reports of terrifying screams being heard.

Two adults were also critically injured, as they were understood to desperately try and protect the children, each receiving multiple stab wounds.

A 17-year-old from a village around 4 miles from the attack was later arrested and taken into custody. It is believed he is originally from Cardiff and moved to the area with his Rwanda born parents around 11 years ago.

Taylor Swift has sent a heartfelt message and fans of the star have set up a Just-Giving page for the families of the victims, which has already raised in excess of £20,000.

Further messages of shock and sympathy have been expressed by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Prime Minister.

Holiday fun turns to terror

The school holiday club had been set up for primary-school-aged children between six and eleven and was fully booked to its limit of 25 attendees. The excited youngsters were to participate in a dance class themed around Taylor Swift and it also included a yoga workshop, plus the opportunity to take part in some bracelet making.

The joy and calm was violently disturbed when it appears that a man entered the Hart Space community centre in the middle of the seaside town, and witnesses described hearing screams and seeing children covered in blood running into the road, having been stabbed indiscriminately in the neck, back and chest.

Confrontation with killer

Colin Parry who owns Masters Vehicle Body Repairs, which is next to where the workshop was being held, revealed that he first became aware of a commotion when a young man wearing a face mask, was refusing to pay a taxi driver.

It prompted Mr Parry and a customer he was dealing with to confront the man who he said became aggressive and asked them, “What are you going to do?”, before walking away.

“Like a horror movie”

The shop owner returned to his premises but very soon afterwards received a call from an employee who had gone to the community centre next door because he heard children screaming, “and not like a normal play screams”.

He then described what confronted him as “the worst thing I’ve seen ever in my life; it was like a scene from a horror movie.”

Hero teacher in critical condition

Devastatingly, three of the youngsters lost the lives in the frenzied attack, whilst 5 of the 8 other children to receive stab wounds were said to be in a critical condition and had been taken to several hospitals in the area. No details regarding identities have yet been released.

It emerged that two adults are also fighting for their lives after bravely stepping in between the attacker and the children. One is known to be Leanne Lucas, who helped organise the event.

She is a local teacher and has been described as a “beautiful young creative girl who is so passionate about helping children.” Hundreds of people took to social media to pray for the brave young woman.

Arrest made

Emily Spurrell, Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner, called the attack “unthinkable and absolutely abhorrent”, before adding: “I cannot even imagine the untold pain and heartache the parents are facing.”

Doorbell footage filmed around 20 minutes before the attack later emerged showing a hooded figure wearing a face mask, pacing outside a house which was later raided by police. A 17-year-old was removed from the property, but for legal reasons he cannot be identified.

Singer in shock

Taylor Swift was said to be horrified upon being given the news. The American singer released a statement on social media, which read:

“The horror of the attack in Southport is washing over me continuously and I’m just completely in shock.”

Continuing she went on to say: “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.”

Royal family send condolences and prayers

King Charles III sent his and Queen Camilla’s “heartfelt condolences, prayers and deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who have so tragically lost their lives, and to all those affected by this truly appalling attack.”

This was quickly followed up by the Prince and Princess of Wales, who paid tribute to those affected by the attack, saying they “cannot begin to imagine what the families, friends and loved ones of the victims are going through.” They sent their “love, thoughts and prayers to all those involved in this horrid and heinous attack.”

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to visit the area shortly and he called the event “truly awful” and said it was “almost impossible” to imagine the grief those affected by the attack were going through.

Donations pouring in for affected families

A Just-Giving page called “Swifties for Southport” has been set up, raising more than £21,000 for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where many of the injured were taken and specifically for funeral funds for what the Taylor Swift UK & EU Facebook group called “the three young swifties who have tragically passed.”

The sum is expected to grow massively over the coming days and the organisers stressed: “Every donation through this link goes directly to the verified charity below, which will in turn help make a difference to those impacted in a time of great sadness.”