Two children dead, nine injured after ‘horror movie’ style knife attack in Southport – The Irish Times

Two children died after a “frenzied” knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance in Southport, near Liverpool, on Monday morning, police confirmed.

At a press conference, Police Commissioner Serena Kennedy said two children were killed in a “brutal attack.” She added that nine others were injured, six of them in critical condition. In addition, two adults are also in critical condition. All injuries were stab wounds.

Ms Kennedy said a 17-year-old boy from Banks, Lancashire, had been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder in connection with the attack.

Bleeding children were seen fleeing the “horror movie” style knife attack near a Taylor Swift-themed yoga class.

Armed police arrested a teenager and seized a knife after being called to a “major incident” at a property on Hart Street in Southport at around 11.50am on Monday.

The North West Ambulance Service said it had so far treated eight patients with stab wounds who had been taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby Hospital.

A witness said he called police to an address behind Hart Space Studios, where a Taylor Swift-themed yoga class was taking place for children ages six to 11.

Colin Parry, owner of Masters Vehicle Body Repairs, said he believed six or seven “young girls” had been stabbed.

He continued: “The mothers are coming here now and screaming. It’s like a scene from a horror movie.”

He added: “The police have got him. It’s like America, not sunny Southport.”

Bare Varathan, 35, owner of a corner shop on Hart Street, said he was called by an employee who told him: “Boss, go to the shop!”

He said: “I saw seven to ten children in front of the daycare center. They were injured and bleeding. They ran out of the daycare center on the street.

“They had been stabbed, here, here, everywhere (he pointed to the neck, back and chest area).

“They were all about 10 years old. One of them was really badly injured. I hope they are OK. First two police jeeps and ambulances came, then armed police officers came and took him from the kindergarten.

“Someone told me he came in a taxi and had a knife with him.”

A Hart Street resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said he was home around midday when a woman drove up in her car screaming. He said: “She was screaming, ‘My daughter has been stabbed.'”

“The woman was hysterical. Then two police cars raced up the street in the other direction. It was a mother with her 10-year-old daughter who had been stabbed.

“I helped her get back to where the police cars and ambulances were. She didn’t look good, but I focused on getting her back on the road so she could get help.

“When I came back up the street, there were a few children lying on the ground being cared for by paramedics. And when I came back, more police cars drove off and gradually more ambulances arrived.”

Another local parent said: “My daughter was there and she was traumatized. She ran away and is now safe.”

Alder Hey Hospital declared the incident serious and urged parents to only take their children to the emergency department in an emergency.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the incident was “appalling and deeply shocking”, while Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was “deeply concerned”.

A large police cordon has been erected around the building on Hart Road, with police guarding both ends.

Inside the cordon, officers and vehicles can be seen from afar, including crime scene officers in white overalls.

A large and growing media presence of reporters, photographers and television crews gathered at the police cordon. Dozens of police cars, vans, fire trucks and ambulances were also gathered further away at a local school.

Merseyside Police said: “Multiple casualties have been reported and further details will be confirmed as soon as possible. Armed police have arrested a man and seized a knife. He has been taken to a police station. Please avoid the area whilst we deal with this incident. There is no major threat to the public.” – PA/Guardian