The public inquiry into the Southport dance studio killings has heard how a young girl was stabbed six times as she tried to shield her younger sister from the attacker. The sisters, who survived, were among dozens of children inside a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop on 29 July 2024 when 18-year-old Axel Rudakubana launched his attack. Three children were killed and more than ten others injured. Giving evidence in Liverpool, their mother described both girls as her “heroes” and told how her husband collapsed in shock after finding their eldest gravely wounded.
A Father’s Shattering Discovery
The sisters, referred to only as C2 and C7 for legal reasons, managed to escape but the older child suffered serious wounds. Their mother told the inquiry how her husband searched frantically after the chaos erupted, first finding their youngest sheltering in a nearby house. Moments later, he spotted “two small legs sticking out from behind a white van” and discovered his eldest lying in blood. Overcome by the sight, he fainted. Despite her condition, the girl told her father she was “okay” before slipping into medical care. Her mother called her bravery “unbelievable.”
Inside the Studio
Families described the terror that swept through the Hart Street studio. The inquiry heard that some children initially thought Rudakubana had come to show them a puppy before he turned on the class with a knife. The mother of C2 and C7 said her eldest had already been stabbed in the chest and arm when she pulled her sister behind her to protect her. “She said it felt like being punched again and again,” the mother explained. Both children were taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital where they were treated for their injuries.
Families Say Attack Was Preventable
Several parents told the inquiry the tragedy could have been avoided. The mother of a girl identified as L said it was “a burden we carry every day” knowing the attacker had been in contact with “multiple agencies” before the killings. She urged the panel to “shine a light into the darkest corners of the systems that failed.” Another parent said her daughter C4, who survived stab wounds, now lives in constant fear and finds it difficult to trust men — including her own father. “Her finest qualities shone through in the darkest of moments,” she said.
Long Shadows of Trauma
The psychological impact remains clear. The mother of child R said her daughter, though physically unharmed, is haunted by nightmares and panic attacks. The parents of child N said their daughter continues to be “kind-hearted, spirited and joyful” despite what she endured, praising her resilience. Families stressed that their testimonies should not only record what happened but drive lasting change. “The inquiry must confront the systemic failures that allowed such a horror to unfold,” one statement read.
Inquiry Focus
The Southport Inquiry is being held at Liverpool Town Hall. It is looking at Rudakubana’s background, his dealings with public bodies and whether missed opportunities could have stopped him before the attack. Its opening stage is devoted to hearing from families. On the day of the incident, three children — Alice Aguiar, nine, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and six-year-old Bebe King — were killed. Eight other children and two adults were also seriously injured. The hearings are scheduled to continue on Wednesday.
