One dead and others critically injured after Southport stabbing

Emergency services rushed to the scene of the mass stabbing at an address in Hart Street, Southport around 11.50am this morning.

Merseyside Police have declared a ‘major incident’ and confirmed the suspected knifeman has been detained and a knife seized. The force said “there is no wider threat to the public”.

Armed police officers detained a man and seized a knife after the attack ‘at a Taylor Swift themed workshop‘ in Southport, Merseyside, just before noon today. The ECHO understands the incident happened at a yoga dance class.

One man, who told the ECHO his daughter was supposed to come to the class this morning, before changing her mind, said the class was for children aged three to 12.

Mersey Police urged people to avoid the area around Hart Street but said there was ‘no wider threat’ to the public.

The ECHO understands that one person – believed to be a child – has died, while possibly more then ten others – both adults and children – have been taken to hospitals around the region with major traumas. Alder Hey Children’s Hospital has now declared a major incident as it attempts to deal with the situation. The hospital has asked parents only to bring their children to the emergency department if it is urgent.

Possibly more than ten others – both adults and children – have been taken to hospitals around the region with major traumas.

While the attack focussed on a property in Hart Street, the ECHO understands it continued out of the property and in the local area.

Colin Parry, owner of Masters Vehicle Body Repairs on Hart Street, said he believed six or seven ‘young girls’ had been stabbed. He said: ‘The mothers are coming here now and screaming. It is like a scene from a horror movie.’

A local parent, who did not wish to be named, said his daughter was ‘traumatised’ by the attack. He said: ‘My daughter was in it and she was traumatised. She ran away and she’s safe.’

North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) sent 13 ambulances, specialised resources of its Hazardous Area Response Team, Air Ambulance and Merit Doctors to the scene. It said: ‘So far, NWAS has treated eight patients with stab injuries who have been taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby hospital.’

Merseyside Police ask the public to please avoid speculation.

I’d ask everybody of faith and goodwill to pray for the injured and their families.