Taylor Swift ‘completely shocked’ by knife attack in Southport

Singer Taylor Swift has said she was “completely shocked” after being attacked during a dance workshop to her music that left two children dead and nine injured.

On Instagram, the star wrote that she was “completely at a loss” as to how to express her condolences.

Her fans have raised more than £20,000 for the families of the victims of a knife attack in Merseyside.

Swift, who performed in nearby Liverpool as part of her European tour in June, said the “horror” of the attack, which left two children dead, six seriously injured and three others wounded, was “overwhelming her”.

She said the “loss of life and innocence” and the “horrific trauma inflicted on all present” left her “completely at a loss as to how I could ever convey my condolences to these families.”

A crowdfunding page called Swifties for Southport has raised more than £21,000 for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where many victims were treated.

Organisers of the Facebook group Taylor Swift UK & EU said the money would go to the hospital’s charity.

In a statement, the group said it was working with the hospital to “raise money for the families affected by the tragedy in Southport.”

It was also said that “funds would be raised for the funerals of the two young Swifties who tragically passed away.”

They added that any donations would go to the hospital’s charity and “would help to support those affected at a time of great sadness”.

Two adults were also seriously injured in the attack.

A 17-year-old boy from Banks in Lancashire was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder in connection with the attack.

Police said the motive for the attack was “unclear” but that it was not classified as terrorist.