A third child has died after Monday’s knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Southport, police have said.
The nine-year-old girl died in hospital on Tuesday morning, Merseyside Police said.
The first two deaths – of girls aged six and seven – were confirmed by the force on Monday evening.
Five other children and two adults injured in the incident in Hart Street on Monday morning are still in a critical condition in hospital, a statement released on Tuesday afternoon said.
The exact conditions of three other children injured are not known – but they are all being treated in hospitals across Liverpool and Manchester.
John Hayes, 63, a businessman who works in the same building, was one of the adults injured, his wife Helen told Sky News. She said he was stabbed in the leg as he tried to disarm the attacker.
A 17-year-old boy from Banks in Lancashire was arrested and is being held on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. An area in the village, which is just outside Southport, was cordoned off by police on Monday.
Taylor Swift has said she is “completely in shock” on Instagram, and that the “horror of yesterday’s attack in Southport is washing over me continuously”.
Football match cancelled and vigil planned
Southport FC was due to take on Morecambe FC in a pre-season friendly on Tuesday evening.
However, the club said in a post on X on Monday night: “Given the tragic events of today and following extensive engagement with relevant local stakeholders we have taken the decision to cancel tomorrow night’s pre-season friendly with Morecambe FC out of respect to those who have so tragically lost their lives, and to those who will be deeply impacted by this horrible tragedy.”
The club’s lounge is being opened between 10am and 3pm today “for those who wish to gather”, the club added.
Labour MP for Southport Patrick Hurley also confirmed a vigil will take place in the town on Tuesday evening.
Local footballer Jordan Lussey offered free places on his football camp for any children distressed by the incident.
‘Swifties for Southport’ crowdfund thousands
A cordon is still in place at the scene of the attack, ‘The Hart Space’, where those killed and injured were attending the Taylor Swift yoga and dance workshop for six to 11-year-olds.
It was organised and led by yoga and primary school teacher Leanne Lucas and dance teacher Heidi Barlow.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands have been raised by Taylor Swift fans via a “Swifties for Southport” JustGiving page.
