A brave young girl, who displayed courage during a violent attack in Southport by pushing other children to safety, continues to be haunted by the harrowing experience in her nightmares. Recounting the terrifying incident at a dance class, she described the assailant, Axel Rudakubana, as appearing possessed when he initiated the brutal knife assault.
Having participated in a Taylor Swift workshop with her younger sister, the girl recalled the sudden shift from a joyful day to a nightmarish ordeal last July. She vividly remembered the moment Rudakubana entered the room wearing a green hoody and a face mask, his eyes projecting a menacing presence that struck fear in her heart.
Witnessing the attacker stab someone before turning towards her, the girl felt time slow down as chaos ensued and screams filled the air. Despite being stabbed in the arm and back, she managed to usher fellow children to safety, driven by a singular focus on protecting everyone from harm.
Her injuries included a collapsed lung and two broken bones, indicative of the severity of the attack. Amidst physical recovery, the girl shared the enduring psychological trauma, plagued by nightmares replaying the horrific scenes of the assault like a relentless horror film.
Speaking at an inquiry into the tragic event, she emphasized the need for answers beyond the criminal trial, urging the investigation to address critical questions surrounding prevention measures, inter-agency communication lapses, and the identification of potential threats to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Rudakubana, now serving a 52-year sentence, was convicted for multiple murders and attempted murders, as well as facing terror charges linked to alarming materials found in his possession. The ongoing inquiry at Liverpool Town Hall will further delve into the impact of the incident on the families affected by the loss of innocent lives.
