Southport update on heroic teacher stabbed in back, arms and neck | UK | News
A heroic dance teacher was stabbed in the back, arms and neck as she bravely stood between her students and an attacker. Leanne Lucas, who organised and led the Taylor Swift-inspired class in Southport, Merseyside, on Monday 29 July, is fighting for her life in hospital.
Three children died after a knife-wielding man entered a Hart Street premises, with several others also in critical condition days later. Police have arrested a 17-year-old boy on suspicion of murder and attempted murder and have been given more time to question the suspect.
The teenager has not been identified for legal reasons but remains in custody. Three girls, Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, died from their injuries.
The Times reported that Leanne’s family revealed she locked two people in a storage room and leaned over two other children to protect them, taking the brunt of the stab wounds. She is now awake after undergoing life-saving surgery.
The outlet spoke to Leanne’s cousin Chris Rimmer, who confirmed her current condition but said she was “unable to remember anything”.
She is said to have not yet been informed of the details of the victims and to have sounded “broken” on the phone. According to the Times, her family have pieced together what happened, thanks to first responder testimony that revealed crucial details about how the dance teacher was injured.
A poignant detail reveals that the 35-year-old woman reached out to protect others, resulting in cuts. He added that her concern was for the other victims rather than herself, although she is in hospital and may still need further care.
His cousin confirmed that he had attended the vigil in memory of those who died and those still fighting for their lives – but hours later extreme violence erupted.
Merseyside Police said 50 officers were injured in the ordeal, sparked by an anti-Muslim mob who targeted a mosque and began a rampage following the stabbing.
She renewed her appeal for images and information this afternoon after the brutal disorder, which left many businesses, residents and workers in difficulty this morning.
A police spokesman said: “Of the 53 injured, 49 were Merseyside officers and four were Lancashire officers. Eight suffered serious injuries including fractures, lacerations, a suspected broken nose and concussion and were treated in hospital.
“Other officers suffered injuries of varying degrees, including head injuries, serious facial injuries and one was knocked unconscious.”
