A third child died from injuries following a “ferocious” knife attack on a Taylor Swift themed dance class in Porto Sulthe police confirmed.
Detectives announced Tuesday that a nine-year-old girl passed away at the hospital in the early morning hours. The other two fatalities they were six- and seven-year-old girls, police said.
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The tragic news comes as police continue to question a 17 year old boy arrested in connection with Monday’s attack, which was described as “like a horror movie” by eyewitnesses.
Eight other children suffered stab wounds during the attack and five of them remain in critical condition.
Two hero class teachers are also fighting for their lives in hospital after bravely trying to defend the young people from the attack just before midday on Monday.
A Merseyside Police spokesperson said: “Sadly, we can confirm that a third child has passed away as a result of injuries sustained in a knife attack in Southport yesterday morning, Monday 29 July.
“The nine-year-old girl died in hospital in the early hours of Tuesday, July 30th. We can confirm that the children who died yesterday were girls aged six and seven.
“Another eight children suffered stab wounds during the attack and five of them are in critical condition. Two adults are also in critical condition after being injured during the incident.”
One of the organizers who left fighting for her life was named locally as Leane Lucas, 35 years old, considered a former teacher. Well-wishers said they are praying for the “beautiful” and “creative” Mrs. Lucas, who is “passionate about helping children.”
Meanwhile, US singer Taylor Swift said she is “completely in shock” after the “horror” of the knife attack.
In a statement released on social media on Tuesday, Swift said: “The horror of yesterday’s attack in Southport is continually overwhelming me and I am in complete shock.
“The loss of life and innocence, and the horrific trauma inflicted on everyone there, the families and the first responders.
“They were just kids in a dance class. I don’t know how to convey my condolences to these families.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper laid flowers at the police cordon on Tuesday, alongside local MP Patrick Hurley and other officials.
The tragedy happened in a crowded dance workshop on Hart Street, where youngsters aged six to 11 were taking part in summer holiday activities.
Horrified onlookers told how they heard children and parents screaming as 13 ambulances and dozens of police rushed to the scene.
Emergency services said the scene was “horrific” and “chaotic” when they arrived at the kids’ club.
A local resident told of the father of one of the injured children who stood in front of his house with his son and shouted “help, my son was stabbed, my son was stabbed”.
Sarah, 45, said The Independent: “A father had an injured son in the car and stopped in front of our house. She received a call from a doctor. She was in danger. My husband helped her get back to the place. We hope the child is well.”
She added: “She stopped and was just saying, ‘Help, my son’s been stabbed, my son’s been stabbed.’
Survivor Jonathan Hayes was stabbed in the leg after trying to disarm his attacker, according to reports.
The businessman’s wife Helen said The telegraph: “Our office is in the same building as the dance studio. He heard screams and went out, saw the attacker, saw that he had hurt a child and tried to take the knife from him and was stabbed in the leg.”
She said she was with her husband in hospital on Monday afternoon, adding: “He is very upset that he was not able to help more. Physically he will be fine, mentally I don’t know.”
Meanwhile, police also asked the public not to speculate about the incident after a name was mistakenly circulated on social media.
“This name is incorrect and we ask people not to speculate on the details of the incident while the investigation is ongoing,” a police spokesperson added.
“This incident is not currently being treated as terrorism-related and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with it.”
All victims are being treated in hospitals, including children’s hospitals in Liverpool and Manchester.
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