A yoga teacher who was attacked during the Southport stabbings described her harrowing experience of survival and heroism amid chaos, as she fought to protect the children she was responsible for during the tragic attack.
Axel Rudakubana, now 18, was sentenced to serve at least 52 years for the brutal killings of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven. The assault occurred during a Taylor Swift-themed class at The Hart Space, located in Southport, Merseyside, on July 29 last year, when Rudakubana was just 17 years old. The attack also left nine other children and two adults injured.
Reflecting on the attack, instructor Leanne Lucas recalled the moment Rudakubana burst through the door. “I just knew if I didn’t get out, everyone was going to die,” she told BBC’s Panorama during an emotional interview. Despite suffering severe stab wounds to her spine, head, ribs, lung, and shoulder blade, Lucas managed to help several children escape. “I called 999 from the landing and asked for the police,” she said, emphasizing her determination to save the children.
The ordeal didn’t stop there. Fourteen-year-old Sarah, another survivor who remains anonymous for legal reasons, recounted witnessing Caval’s brutality firsthand. “I saw him stab a child right in front of me,” she described. Sarah highlighted her instinct to push other children to safety down the staircase, fearing for their lives. “I thought he wasn’t going to stop until he killed everyone. I thought he wanted to kill us all.”
Lucas and dance teacher Heidi Liddle, working alongside her, were praised for their bravery. Despite her own injuries, Lucas recalled the panic as they made their way to safety, yelling at children to flee. “My brain’s going 100 miles an hour but my body won’t do anything,” she said, acknowledging the chaos of the moment where instincts kicked in.
Rudakubana’s prior criminal history included previous incidents with weapons, raising questions about how he was able to slip through the cracks of law enforcement before the attack. Reports indicated police found evidence of his intentions after searching his home, including deleted internet history.
Following his guilty plea to all charges—three counts of murder and the attempted murders of eight children, as well as attacking Lucas and businessman John Hayes—Rudakubana was handed one of the longest sentences for someone of his age. At the sentencing hearing, the judge remarked on Lucas’s heroism, asserting, “She tried to save as many children as she could.”
Political figures like Sir Keir Starmer condemned the attack, calling it “one of the most harrowing moments in our country’s history,” and reaffirmed the commitment to deliver justice for the victims and their families.
Survivors like Sarah have been vocal about their psychological recovery, grappling with the trauma of such vivid memories. “I constantly see his face,” Lucas admitted, explaining how the attack changed her life forever—affecting her ability to work, move freely, and feel safe even in public spaces.
One poignant remark made by Lucas illustrated the heaviness of survival. “I’ve got to stay alive for them, otherwise, what’s the point?” she emphasized, remembering the innocent lives lost. These children's spirits, she strongly believed, represented goodness and happiness, highlighting how the brutal attack took away so much more than life—it shattered the sense of safety and innocence for many.
The aftermath of the tragic event continues to cast shadows over the community, with residents and officials still struggling with the impacts of such violence. Lucas noted how the emotional scars of the attack affect everyone involved, urging for changes to prevent such horrifying incidents from occurring again. The menace posed by individuals like Rudakubana raised questions about mental health, community safety, and the efficacy of support systems for at-risk youth.
Support for survivors remains pivotal. Programs and initiatives to help children and their families cope with the aftermath of trauma are being discussed, aiming to create safer spaces and encourage healing. Yet, as parents express their deep-seated fears for their child's safety, the echo of the attack serves as a reminder of the urgent need for action.
While the world struggles to make sense of such senseless acts, the courage displayed by survivors like Lucas and Sarah acts as beacons of hope, showcasing human resilience even amid overwhelming darkness. Their stories remind us all—the strength to survive and protect the innocent, even when faced with unimaginable horrors, serves as the foundation of our greatest humanity.
Indeed, the tale of trauma, bravery, and the fight for justice at the Southport yoga studio will resonate for years to come, affecting the lives of countless individuals forever.