During a harrowing incident, a teacher found herself hiding from Southport killer Axel Rudakabana in a restroom with a child while he aggressively tried to force his way in. Heidi Liddle, who was present at the tragic event, tearfully recounted her feelings of guilt during the Southport inquiry held at Liverpool Town Hall. The mother of two revealed that she was returning to work post-maternity leave to be a guest dance instructor at a Taylor Swift-themed workshop on July 29 last year.
Rudakubana, aged 18, carried out a brutal knife attack, resulting in the deaths of Alice da Silva Aguiar, Bebe King, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, and attempted to harm eight other children and two adults, including dance teacher Leanne Lucas.
Recalling the moments leading up to the tragedy, Ms. Liddle shared how she was joyously making bracelets with the children before chaos ensued. She vividly remembered witnessing her colleague being attacked and instinctively guiding the children to safety amidst the pandemonium.
She described the heart-wrenching scene where the perpetrator aggressively tried to enter the restroom where she and the child were hiding, causing immense fear and panic until the police intervened. The traumatic experience has left her haunted by the screams of the children and the fear for their lives.
Despite her efforts to protect the children, Ms. Liddle expressed ongoing feelings of responsibility and guilt, constantly questioning if more could have been done during those terrifying moments. The emotional toll of the incident has led to daily flashbacks and difficulties in performing everyday tasks.
In a poignant statement, she mourned not only for the victims and their families but also for the profound impact the event has had on her life. Ms. Liddle emphasized the need for the inquiry to prevent such devastating incidents from occurring in the future.
Leanne Lucas, another victim of the attack, also testified, recounting the joyful atmosphere that abruptly turned into terror when Rudakubana entered the room. She described the chaos that ensued as they tried to shield the children from harm, highlighting the lasting psychological scars from the ordeal.
Ms. Lucas revealed the online abuse she faced post-attack, expressing her struggle with being labeled both a hero and a villain. She emphasized that she did her best in an unimaginable situation, signifying her humanity amidst the chaos.
The inquiry, set to continue until November, will delve into Rudakubana’s background and interactions with relevant agencies, aiming to uncover any missed opportunities to prevent the tragic events. The proceedings were adjourned until the following day.