Southport: One child remains in hospital week on from attack as hundreds turn out for 'bubble' vigil

Kylie Clift explains why she decided to organise the 'kisses to heaven' vigil in Southport one week on since the deadly knife attack.

All children apart from one have been discharged from hospital a week on from the Southport attack, as hundreds attend a peaceful vigil for the three young victims.

Six-year-old Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, all died in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on Monday, 29 July.

Eight other children suffered stab wounds and required hospital treatment, alongside two adults - yoga instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes - who were critically injured.

Those injured were taken to multiple hospitals in the area, with seven taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

But Merseyside Police announced one week on from the deadly attack that all but one child has been discharged from hospital.

A spokesperson said: "Today, one week on from Monday’s devastating incident, we remember Elsie, Bebe and Alice.

"Our thoughts continue to be with the families who have suffered profound loss and the communities affected by this tragedy."

It comes as hundreds joined together in Southport to release bubbles as 'kisses to heaven' to pay tribute to the girls and those caught up in this tragedy.

Friends, family members and residents gathered at The Atkinson art centre in the centre of the town where they blew bubbles and clapped in memory of Elsie, Alice and Bebe.

The bubbles were donated by local shops, arcades, charities and families of the victims, the event’s organiser said.

Teddy bears and toys were among the other gifts left in memory of the victims at the “Swifties Bubble Blow – Kisses To Heaven” event.

Many of the children at the vigil were dressed in pink, with some leaving chalk messages on the pavement.

Event organiser Kylie Clift said: “I organised this event as I feel a great importance in our children being able to grieve too.

“They can express so much emotion through fun yet sensitive activities, like bubble blowing.

“I have been donated hundreds of bubbles from various local shops, arcades, charities and even from families of the victims themselves.

“There will be time to take a moment and remember those we’ve lost and those who still continue to fight.

“We have the amazing Wendy Chalke singing a heartfelt song whilst we all come together as a community and blow as many bubbles as we can, blowing them ‘kisses’ to heaven.”

Disorder and violence broke out in parts of the UK over the weekend in the wake of last week’s knife attack.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced a "standing army" of specialist officers on Monday to tackle widespread riots and disorder, after a Cobra emergency response meeting was held in Downing Street.

He called the violence seen across the country "mindless thuggery", and promised swift criminal sanctions for those who have broken the law.

“We will have a standing army of specialist public duty officers so that we will have enough officers to deal with this where we need them,” he said.

Axel Rudakubana, 17, from Banks in Lancashire, has been charged with three murders and 10 attempted murders.

The teenager could previously not be named because of his age, but restrictions were lifted early after a crown court judge said it would “remove the mystique” around the defendant’s identity online.

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