A survivor recounts efforts to save children during the Southport attack, where three young girls tragically died.
Alice da Silva Aguiar, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Bebe King died. They were nine, seven, and six years old. In January, the attacker received a long prison sentence. He must serve at least 52 years. He also attempted to murder eight other children. Businessman John Hayes and teacher Leanne Lucas also suffered attacks.
Leanne Lucas spoke to the BBC. It was her first interview since the July attack. She suffered stab wounds to her spine. Her head, ribs, lung, and shoulder blade were also injured. She remembers the attacker grabbing children one by one. She didn’t understand his actions at first.
Then, he moved closer to her. She felt a sharp pain in her back. She knew she was in danger. She realized everyone could die if she didn’t act. Lucas and another teacher, Heidi Liddle, helped many children escape.
Despite her wounds, Lucas acted quickly. She and Heidi got children out of the room. Lucas called the police for help. She urged everyone to run from the building. She kept saying children were inside.
Her mind raced, but her body felt slow. People asked her questions. She told them to save the children. Lucas feels she did all she could. Police told her she and Heidi saved lives. Without them, everyone might have died. This knowledge doesn’t ease the pain. It does not bring back the children who died.
Keir Starmer called the attack horrific. He said it was a dark moment for the country. He believes those affected deserve change. Sarah, another survivor, spoke to Panorama. She is only fourteen.
Sarah described fighting through her own injuries. She helped lead other children to safety. She saw the attacker stab a child. Then, he came towards her with the knife. He stabbed her arm. He also stabbed her back.
She didn’t feel it right away due to adrenaline. She remembers the attacker’s eyes. They looked possessed and inhuman. She saw the girls huddled near the stairs. She yelled at them to run down and escape. She pushed them down the stairs to get them out. She thought the attacker would kill everyone.
Rudakubana pleaded guilty in court. Lucas still feels anger about this. She says he made everyone wait. He knew he was guilty of the crimes. Evidence against him was strong. He should have admitted guilt sooner. He had been found with a knife before.
The parents of Bebe King and Elsie Stancombe shared memories. They spoke about their daughters earlier this month. Bebe’s parents described her as hilarious. She was a little girl full of energy. They cherished their final moments with Bebe.
They kissed her goodbye and buried her. She wore her pajamas for burial. They read her a favorite book and baptized her. Jennifer Stancombe remembered her daughter Elsie. She said Elsie was grateful for life. She was also very empathetic.
Elsie died from her injuries. Her funeral was very large. Many people came to show their support. Life has changed a lot for her family. Her father wonders how to protect his other child now. He feels that he cannot promise that nothing will happen. Elsie’s tragedy happened.