Two dance instructors who were present during the Southport attack have shared their ongoing trauma from the horrific incident. Leanne Lucas, who had arranged the Taylor Swift dance class, tearfully recounted her experience of initially mistaking the attacker, Axel Rudakubana, as someone coming to pick up a child, only to be viciously stabbed by him.
Despite sustaining severe injuries including fractures and cuts, Leanne managed to call for help and direct the children to safety, even though she was unaware of the tragic outcome for three girls until days later. She described the chaotic scene and her frantic efforts to protect the children as the assailant continued his assault.
Her colleague, Heidi Liddle, also described the terrifying moments as Rudakubana attacked Leanne, prompting her to lock herself and a child in a nearby toilet for safety. The rapid sequence of events left them with no choice but to flee and shield the children from harm.
Both teachers shared their emotional accounts at an inquiry into the tragedy. The impact of the attack has left them haunted by the memories and fearful for their safety, with Heidi expressing her ongoing struggles with fear and guilt.
They continue to remember the children affected by the incident and hold the families of the three young victims close to their hearts. The tragic loss of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, along with the serious injuries sustained by others, serves as a constant reminder of the devastating consequences of the attack. Rudakubana, now 19, is serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 52 years for his heinous actions.