The solicitor representing the parents of three young girls tragically killed in the Southport attack expressed their hope that through uncovering the truth, other families can be spared from similar heart-wrenching losses. The ongoing public inquiry, set to resume at Liverpool Town Hall, will feature testimonies from surviving children who endured the horrific incident.
The inquiry aims to investigate numerous missed opportunities to prevent Axel Rudakubana, the disturbed teenager who orchestrated the knife attack during a Taylor Swift-themed event attended by 26 children. Three girls, Bebe King (6), Elsie Dot Stancombe (7), and Alice Da Silva Aguiar (9), lost their lives due to the attack.
Among the survivors, eight children sustained serious injuries while more than a dozen others are grappling with lasting emotional trauma. Their acts of bravery were highlighted during the inquiry’s opening in July, where victim impact statements from the survivors and their parents were shared.
One mother recounted how her seven-year-old daughter courageously shielded her friends, enduring 33 stab wounds while leading them to safety. The children initially faced Rudakubana alone as some educators sought help, showcasing their resilience and unity in the face of danger.
As the inquiry progresses, families of over 20 victims, including the parents of the deceased girls, are expected to provide testimonies. Christopher Walker, Director of Serious Injury Law at Bond Turner, representing the bereaved families, emphasized the importance of uncovering the truth to bring about change and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Additionally, the inquiry will hear from dance teachers Leanne Lucas and Heidi Liddle, both 36, who displayed bravery during the attack. Jonathan Hayes, 64, who intervened to protect the children, will also share his account of the harrowing day. Parents of the victims are urging the inquiry’s chair, Sir Adrian Fulford, to implement meaningful reforms.
Rudakubana, sentenced to a minimum of 52 years in prison for three counts of murder and other charges, will have his brother Dion participate in the inquiry as a “core participant” without access to evidence from victim families.