Last child injured in Southport attacks leaves hospital

The last child being treated in hospital after the knife attacks in Southport has been discharged.

Three girls were killed when a knifeman entered a Taylor Swift themed holiday club on 29 July and began stabbing those inside.

Ten people, including two adults, were also seriously injured and taken to hospitals across Merseyside.

Alder Hey Children’s Hospital confirmed that all children admitted with injuries linked to the attacks have now been safely discharged.

The hospital said in a statement: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in responding to the incident or caring for anyone affected by it, especially our colleagues in the NHS, Merseyside Police and North West Ambulance Service.

“We also want to say thank you to all who sent well wishes to Alder Hey and to the families affected.

“Our heartfelt sympathies remain with all those impacted by last week’s tragic events.”

Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, were named as those killed during the attack in a studio in Hart Street.

Yoga teacher Leanne Lucas, 35, had arranged the workshop and was severely wounded.

Her cousin Chris Rimmer called her a “hero” and said she had “shielded two girls” during the attack.

Jonathan Hayes, who runs a business next door, was also stabbed in the leg after rushing to help.

On Monday Merseyside Police chief constable, Serena Kennedy, said some of her officers had been “completely traumatised” by what they experienced that day.

But they were also struggling to come to terms with the outbursts of violent disorder in Southport, Liverpool city centre and Walton in the days that followed.

More than 80 Merseyside Police officers were injured responding to the violence, and Ms Kennedy said some had told her they had feared they would not make it home to their families.

Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, has been charged with three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder.

Rudakubana, from Banks, is next due to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on 25 October for a pre-trial preparation hearing.