The hero dance class teachers who saved innocent children from hooded killer in Southport: Local teacher behind Taylor Swift-themed workshop is among victims fighting for life in hospital after 'ferocious attack' that's left two dead

Two hero dance class teachers saved up to 16 innocent children from being attacked by a masked killer who ambushed a Taylor Swift-themed workshop in Southport yesterday, MailOnline can reveal.

Brave Leanne Lucas, 35, who organised the yoga and bracelet making class is among the victims fighting for her life in hospital after the 'ferocious attack' that left two children dead. 

The primary school supply teacher - who now teaches children's yoga workshops - suffered stab injuries after a man entered the venue through the unlocked door, which was left open amid the scorching heat, and started attacking children.

Ms Lucas and her co-organiser and dance teacher Heidi Barlow, also 35, saved 16 children as the 25-strong class aged between six and 11, while nine children were taken to hospital and six remain in a critical condition.

Ms Barlow was also injured in the attack, although not seriously, MailOnline understands.

Two female adults were rushed to hospital after police say they 'bravely tried to protect them' from the attack at the Hart Space Studios on Hart Street.

Ms Lucas, who's also a qualified primary school teacher, is the owner and founder of Enlighten, planned the two-hour session to coincide with the start of the school holidays.

She was hailed today by relatives who paid tribute to her bravery and love for her students. 

Pauline Bennett, 64, said: 'She's only tiny, she wouldn't have stood a chance against a man with a knife, but she just wanted to protect those children.

'I can't imagine what she would have been thinking when he came through the door. It all happened so quickly, she just did what she could.

'Her sister stayed at her bedside all night and her parents are with her now. We're just hoping and praying that she's going to be ok.

'Leanne loves teaching children, it's all she's ever wanted to do. She just loves children.

'It's just heartbreaking that someone could do something like this.'

A former school friend said: 'To my knowledge she organised it, she used to be a primary school teacher at a local school.

Ms Lucas - who taught in China and Dubai before the Covid pandemic hit - is a big fan of Taylor Swift, her aunt said.

'Then she came home in Covid and now this happens. She went to the Taylor Swift concert and she got a big poster of her for the kids.'

Posting a photo of Ms Lucas 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.'

Others described the news as 'devastating' and 'heartbreaking'.

One Facebook user wrote: 'I'm in shock.

'Thinking of you Leanne and everyone involved, love and prayers go out to you all.'

Another added: 'Thank you for your bravery in defending your class.

'I pray you get to see how proud the whole town is of your actions today.'

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.

Ms Barlow was a dance teacher at Southport Dance Academy, where she had recently taken time off to have a baby girl.

Wishing her luck last year, the school said: 'We are sending you lots of love and hope you are enjoying all the quality time together.'

Reacting to the tragic news today, the academy posted on Instagram: 'Thoughts and prayers for everyone affected by today's shocking events. Southport together.' 

Photos from her social media show her celebrating marriage two years ago and her paying tribute to her 'gorgeous' students as her classes were halted over lockdown. 

Speaking to the media today, Southport MP Patrick Hurley said: 'The town is in mourning, the town is in shock this morning. The incident that took place yesterday was uniquely horrific.

'Southport's a quiet seaside, coastal town. This has just sent shockwaves through the whole community.

'It's a very small town, Southport, and a lot of families across the area will be impacted directly.

'I think at this stage we need to just reach out, make sure that there's a level of community healing going on and make sure we give voice to the solidarity that people need right now.'

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.

'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.

'I wish to send my heartfelt condolences to them.'

The masked attacker entered The Hart Space - a community centre at the heart of the Merseyside community - through the door, which had been left open in an attempt to keep cool amid the scorching heat.

It's believed he coincided his arrival with parents picking up their children from the workshop, which was supposed to finish at 12pm.

Described by locals as wearing a dark hood, he allegedly arrived at the location in a taxi just minutes before the event was set to end before exiting the vehicle without paying, The Telegraph reports.

A 17-year-old boy, from Banks, remains in custody after being arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. 

Police were called to the scene at 11.47am - with horrified cops arriving just three minutes later as they witnessed the aftermath of a 'ferocious attack'.

And just 20 minutes before he unleashed his reign of terror, the attacker could be seen prowling houses 15 minutes from the venue as he walked back and forth outside the front door of the property.

At about 1pm, police cars and armed officers then swooped on the same £80,000 home in the village of Banks, Lancashire, which is less than 15 minutes from the scene. 

Shocking footage of paramedics and police officers sprinting to the workshop shows the chaos on the residential street as screaming filled the air.

Further video shows paramedics treating injured children as people spilled out onto the quiet street. 

The casualties were taken to three hospitals, including the Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool which has declared a major incident. 

An air ambulance was seen in a nearby car park and people in the area said local Whatsapp groups told neighbours to 'lock your windows and doors', the Liverpool Echo reported.

This morning, the road outside The Hart Space has been filled with tributes, including bouquets of flowers and teddies for the young children.

Alongside them are messages - including 'fly high with angels little ones', Hits Radio News reports. 

A JustGiving page - set up by Taylor Swift fans - has already raised nearly £20,000 to help families affected by the tragedy and pay for the two funerals.

Locals said they saw children running from the building and assumed there had been a car accident because a vehicle was covered in blood.

But they quickly realised something more sinister had occurred when they saw 'seven to ten kids' who were 'injured and bleeding' outside the nursery.

There are thought to have been around 25 children aged between six and 11 taking part in the workshop for schoolkids in years two through to six when the horrific attack took place. 

One witness told how she heard a woman screaming and ran outside to find a young mother with her daughter - both covered in blood.

Deborah Parker, 57, who lives a few hundred yards from the studio, found the pair in a parked car. She told The Mirror: 'It had only just happened. I was opening the windows downstairs and a police car sped past.

'The lady was parked on the corner screaming 'help me, help me'. Of course I ran over, she was covered in blood, the mum. Her daughter was slumped in the passenger seat.

'She had gone to the children's club to pick her up and she came out saying 'mum, I've been stabbed'.'

As the nation reeled from the senseless violence, the attack was branded 'utterly horrific' by King Charles and 'horrendous and deeply shocking' by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

The shocking nature of the frenzy - likened to a scene out of a 'horror movie' - was laid bare in a police press conference on Monday evening.

Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: '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.

'It is understood that the children were attending a Taylor Swift event at a dance hall 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.' 

One resident said two female yoga teachers leading the class were wounded as they desperately tried to save the children.

He told The Sun: '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.'

They added: 'I heard some lads from the builders yard and a window cleaner came out and tried to help. They heard shouting,

'Get the kids, get the kids'. I don't know if they've tackled him. I heard someone sat on him.

'A friend of mine, his two little daughters have been stabbed.

'Little girls were getting worked on in gardens and mums were crying their eyes out.'

The suspect, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was apprehended at a gym after a personal trainer helped to apprehend him, The Times reports.

The newspaper was also told that a neighbour took around ten girls to safety in his house and was helped by another resident.

'The community was coming together, everyone was trying to help,' he said. 'Everyone was trying to save the young kids.'

It has also emerged that businessman Jonathan Hayes tried to disarm the knifeman after hearing screams from his office.

The 63-year-old was stabbed in the leg after running into the studio to intervene.

His wife Helen, 57, said he tried to put himself between the knifeman and the children, adding to The Telegraph: 'Our office is in the same building as the dance studio, he heard screams and went outside, saw the attacker, saw that he had hurt a child and tried to take the knife off him and got stabbed in the leg.

'The dance studio is tucked away down a little alley, you wouldn't know that there was a children's dance studio there just by walking past – you would have to have known it was there.

'I've been with him all afternoon at the hospital. He's very upset that he wasn't able to be more help. Physically he will be okay, mentally I don't know.'

Detectives are still trying to establish the motive for this 'tragic incident', adding: 'We would urge people not to speculate while the investigation is ongoing.'

The force said that the incident was not being treated as 'terror-related' and that they are 'not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident'.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was 'deeply concerned' by the attack.

Following the press conference, King Charles released a statement saying: 'My wife and I have been profoundly shocked to hear of the utterly horrific incident in Southport today.

'We send out most 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.'

The Prime Minister also offered his condolences to the victims and their families and friends, saying 'the whole country is deeply shocked'.

'I know I speak for everybody in the whole country in saying our thoughts and condolences are with the victims, their families, their friends and the wider community,' he added.

'It's almost impossible to imagine the grief that they're going through and the trauma that they are going through.'

He also thanked the emergency services who responded to the 'most difficult of circumstances'.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said: 'My prayers are with the victims of the appalling stabbings in Southport today - and especially with the parents and loved ones of the two children who were killed.

'I pray that God would draw near and comfort them in this unimaginable grief. I pray too for those who were injured, their families and those caring for them, and for those who witnessed and responded to this devastating attack.'

Mothers arriving to pick up their children at the end of the workshop were greeted with a scene that was likened to something from a 'horror movie' as injured children were carried outside by emergency workers.

Police also cordoned off a street with officers stationed outside a house about four miles from the stabbing incident.

Locals said Matrix police, the armed unit of Merseyside Police, descended on the address shortly after the incident in Southport. It also came shortly after the individual was pacing around the front of the property.

Earlier on Monday, police said a male had been arrested and a knife had been seized. The force urged people to avoid the area but said there was 'no wider threat' to the public.

Ryan Carney, who lives with his mother Hayley on Hart Street, said he rushed home from work to be with her after she witnessed the terrible aftermath. He said: 'She went 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!'''

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was 'deeply concerned' by the attack.

Witness Bare Varathan, 35, who owns a corner shop on Hart Street, said he was called by a staff member who told him, 'Boss, get to the shop!'

He said: 'I saw seven to ten kids outside the nursery. They were injured, bleeding.

'They were in the road, running from the nursery. They had been stabbed, here, here, here, everywhere. [Mr Varathan indicated the neck, back and chest area].

'They were all aged about ten. One of them was really seriously injured.

'I hope they will be OK. Only two police jeeps and ambulances arrived, then armed police came and took him out of the nursery. Somebody told me he had arrived in a taxi and had a knife.'

One resident, who lives on Hart Street but did not want to be named, said he was at home about midday when a woman pulled up outside in her car, screaming.

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.

'It was a mum with her 10-year-old daughter who had been stabbed. I helped to get her back up to where the police cars and ambulances were.

'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.'

A BBC reporter at the scene described one girl on a stretcher covered in blood with 'her parents running after her'.

The victims have been taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby hospital.

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 reportedly stabbed multiple children.

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 ok, they posted the other day that they were full for this Taylor Swift holiday club this morning.

'When I got there, there was a guy who was absolutely distraught, in a mess.

'He'd seen two children run out of The Hart Space, and he thought they had got hit by a car because the car was just full of blood at the side of the car.

'But it was actually that the children who had been stabbed had fallen into the car.

'It was apparently a guy with a black hooded top on.'

A local business owner, who was one of the people who called the police, said the incident in Southport was like a 'scene in a horror movie.'

Colin Parry, owner of Masters Vehicle Body Repairs on Hart Street, said he believed six or seven 'young girls' had been stabbed.

He said: '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.'

He later told BBC 5Live that he was first aware of a commotion because a young man in a face mask was refusing to pay for a taxi fare.

He said he and a customer confronted the man but that he asked them, 'What are you going to do?' and walked off.

Mr Parry went back to work but then received a phone call from an employee who had gone to the building next door when they heard children screaming 'and not like a normal play scream'.

'We all ran out and there's young kids, all bleeding,' Mr Parry said.

He said many of the children were then taken into a nearby home and that the scene outside was 'mayhem'.

'It was the worst thing I've seen ever in my life,' he said.

'Why? Why would you do these things to these kids? It's horrific.'

A staff member at The Bridge Cafe on Hart Street told MailOnline: 'We were told somebody's been stabbing children.

'It's chocka. It's all cordoned off, police cars at every junction. Parents are stood outside waiting.'

A local resident said she left work immediately to check on her daughters when she heard news of the attack, adding that parents have been checking in with one another.

Joanne Newman told BBC News: 'I got a call from a very, very good friend of mine, I was in work completely oblivious to it and as soon as she told me I literally ran out of work.

'I don't know how I managed to drive back to be fair - my priority was just my girls, my girls, my girls.

'I knew my eldest daughter was taking her to a friend's house and I'm just so thankful to God that they're safe.'

She continued: 'Nobody can believe it, all the local mums have checked in with one another - I'm sure we're all going to know somebody from that awful, that poor group. But the parents I checked in on, my girls and I just ran to the crowd because I just thought, you put your NHS head on don't you?

'The mother that I was just consoling, just the look on her face because she knew something had happened to her child, it's like 'oh my gosh', how do you even comprehend - there's nothing you can do.'

Ms Newman said her elder daughter - who had been taking her younger sister to a friend's house - heard a 'sinister scream' around the same time of the stabbing.

She told BBC News: 'She said she heard quite a sinister scream and literally she'd got back from taking my daughter - we don't know roughly what time it was but it was similar timing, and then all the commotion had gone on, so looking back at the timescales that potentially could have been - but she said it was a very untoward, unusual scream, so we don't know.'

A large police cordon has been put up around the building, with police officers guarding either end.

Officers and vehicles can be seen from a distance inside the cordon, including scenes-of-crime officers in white boiler suits.

Dozens of police cars, vans, fire engines and ambulances are also assembled a short distance away at a local school.

Steve Rotheram, mayor of Liverpool City Region, says he is 'deeply concerned' by the incident.

'I have been in contact with the police and am being kept updated on the situation,' he says in a social media post.

He urges the public to wait for official updates and to not spread 'unconfirmed speculation and false information'.

College of Policing Chief Constable Sir Andy Marsh said his 'thoughts are with everyone affected'.

'My thoughts this afternoon are with everyone affected by the horrific and deeply distressing incident in Southport,' Mr Marsh said on X.

'I'm grateful to the police officers and other emergency services responding.'

A local parent, who did not wish to be named, said his daughter was 'traumatised' by the attack. 

He said: 'My daughter was in it and she was traumatised. She ran away and she's safe.'