Two children dead with six children critically injured in 'ferocious' Southport knife attack
Emergency services were first called at 11:50am to reports of multiple stabbings in Southport, as ITV News reports
Two children have been killed in a knife attack in Southport, which left nine others injured.
All those injured suffered stab wounds during the incident, which reportedly took place at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
Six of the nine injured children are in a critical condition along with two adults.
A 17-year-old boy has been arrested, and is being questioned on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. The teenager is from the village of Banks, and originally from Cardiff.
Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy told a press conference the children were attending a Taylor Swift event at a dance school when an individual with a knife walked into the premises and started to attack.
CC Kennedy continued: “As a mum and a nanna, I can’t begin to imagine the pain and suffering that the families of the victims are going through at this moment in time.
“I wish to send my heartfelt condolences to them.”
Merseyside Police declared a major incident in the town, with one witness describing the scene on Hart Street as like a “horror movie”.
Emergency services were called to a property at around 11:50am.
Officers said there is no wider threat to the public but urged people to avoid the area. At this stage, the force say that the incident is not being treated as terror related.
A witness said he called police to an address in Hart Street, behind which is The Hart Space studios.
One of the events listed at The Hart Space at the time of the stabbings was a Taylor Swift-themed yoga class for children in school years two to six, aged between six and 11.
One man who didn't wish to be identified lives with his mother on Hart Street, and said he rushed home from work to be with her after she saw the incident.
“She went out to see what was going on, because she could hear screaming and crying," he said
“All she said was she saw members of, I don’t know, either police or ambulance, carrying out a few bodies of girls.
“They were in white, but covered in red, covered in blood. She said she could see the stab wounds in the backs of the children. That’s what she saw."
A man living on Hart Street describes what his mother saw as the incident unfolded
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has offered his condolences to the victims of the attack in Southport, and their families and friends, saying “the whole country is deeply shocked”.
“I know I speak for everybody in the whole country in saying our thoughts and condolences are with the victims, their families, their friends and with the wider community," he said.
“It is impossible to imagine what they are going through right now.”
He praised the emergency services for their professionalism in dealing with the incident.
Members of the Royal Family joined Starmer in sending condolences. The King said both himself and the Queen were shocked by what had taken place.
He said: “We send our most heartfelt condolences, prayers and deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who have so tragically lost their lives, and to all those affected by this truly appalling attack.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales called the incident "heinous", and added: “As parents, we cannot begin to imagine what the families, friends and loved ones of those killed and injured in Southport today are going through.”
North West Ambulance service (NWAS) confirmed 13 ambulances were dispatched to the scene, along with its Hazardous Area Response Team and an Air Ambulance.
"So far, NWAS has treated eight patients with stab injuries who have been taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby hospital," it said.
Alder Hey Children's hospital have confirmed that the trust has declared a major incident:
It asked parents to only bring children to the emergency department if the problem is urgent.
Southport MP Patrick Hurley said: “I am hoping for the best possible outcomes to the casualties affected.
“My thoughts go out to all those affected, their loved ones and to the entire community."
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