A yoga teacher who was stabbed five times during the Southport attack has described for the first time the desperate moments when she helped several children run to safety.
Leanne Lucas told BBC Panorama how she called 999 as the attacker chased after them. "I just knew if I didn't get out, everyone was going to die," she said. The incident, which occurred on July 29, 2024, at the Hart Space studio, left three young girls dead and several others injured.
Lucas recounted how she organized the Taylor Swift-themed children's yoga workshop, which quickly sold out. The atmosphere was festive until it was shattered by violence when 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana burst through the door, stabbing children and adults indiscriminately.
A 14-year-old helping to run the class, who the BBC has identified as Sarah, also spoke candidly about the attack. She described the attacker as "possessed" as he lunged for the children. Both Lucas and Sarah are among the first survivors to speak publicly about the horrific day.
Leanne, who had briefly seen the attacker through the window before the assault, was unaware of the danger. Just moments later, everything changed. "He opened the door and just grabbed a child. I didn't know what he was doing. He moved from girl to girl, and that's when I shouted, 'Who is this?'"
Sarah was one of the first victims. She remembered seeing the knife aimed at her and the resulting stab wound. "I saw him stab a child right before me. I didn't feel the stab until later because of the adrenaline," she told the BBC. Despite her serious injuries, Sarah managed to help guide other children to safety.
Another child, who was reportedly around 10 years old, remained calm and reassured younger children, saying, "Don't worry, your parents are going to be here, everything's going to be okay."
Quickly assessing the situation, Leanne was aware of the urgency. "I felt something go in my back," she recounted, detailing how she was wounded but pressed on. "I just knew people would die if I didn't get everyone out."
Lucas's determination to save the lives of the children was pivotal. Regardless of her grave injuries, she was able to call emergency services, and her friend Heidi Liddle assisted by managing the chaos around them.
"We were shouting, 'Run!' and trying to rally the kids," Lucas recalled tearfully, stating, "I just wanted to get everyone out of the building." Her efforts ensured several children escaped the immediate danger of the attack.
Despite the chaos, help soon arrived. Local residents rushed to assist. One good Samaritan, Steve, helped lead Sarah and the injured children away from danger, sheltering them until authorities arrived.
Following the attack, the scene became even more heartbreaking as it was revealed three young girls lost their lives: Alice Aguiar, 9; Bebe King, 6; and Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7.
Axel Rudakubana was later arrested and sentenced to 52 years for his crimes, the maximum penalty available to someone of his age. Observers noted how he had previously come to the attention of authorities but had managed to evade serious intervention.
Leanne expressed frustration at how warning signs were overlooked, stating, "It's so shocking how much evidence they had on him and how he slipped through the net." Both she and Sarah were left with severe physical and emotional scars from the incident.
Lucas has experienced significant survivor's guilt, feeling she must keep the memories of the lost children alive. "For Alice, Elsie, Bebe, Heidi and the surviving girls, I'm surviving for you," she told the court during the sentencing.
Following the attack, misinformation swiftly spread across social media, falsely blaming Lucas for the murders, which added to her trauma. Both Sarah and Leanne have emphasized the need to share their stories to counter such disinformation.
The horrific day highlighted both human fragility and the remarkable courage exhibited by individuals like Leanne and Sarah, who, even when faced with unimaginable violence, showed the true spirit of heroism and community support.
Today, Leanne continues to advocate for remembrance and justice, declaring, “These children represent goodness, just pure goodness,” as she honors the lives tragically cut short.