Southport inquiry: 'I hid in toilet with child as killer banged on door'

Southport inquiry: 'I hid in toilet with child as killer banged on door'

The Liverpool Town Hall inquiry into the tragic Southport knife killer has heard a harrowing account from dance teacher Heidi Liddle. She described hiding with a child in a toilet as the attacker banged on the door, expressing her overwhelming sense of guilt. The mother-of-two recounted the events of that fateful day last July, when she was teaching at a Taylor Swift-themed workshop in Merseyside, returning from maternity leave.

Heidi Liddle tearfully shared how she tried to usher as many children to safety as possible, witnessing the brutal attack where three young girls lost their lives. The scene shifted dramatically from joy and happiness to terror as the attacker entered the room, causing chaos and devastation within seconds. She recounted the fear and adrenaline that drove her to protect the children, reflecting on the haunting screams and the feeling of helplessness in the face of danger.

Despite being hailed as a hero by some, Heidi Liddle grapples with feelings of guilt and constant questioning of whether she could have done more. The emotional toll of the attack lingers, manifesting in daily flashbacks and struggles with ordinary tasks. She mourns not only for the victims and their families but also for the loss of her previous life, overshadowed by the traumatic events of that day.

Yoga teacher Leanne Lucas also shared her experience at the inquiry, detailing the chaos and fear that unfolded as she tried to protect the children. The psychological scars remain raw for both women, compounded by the relentless online abuse and the lasting impact of the attack. As the inquiry delves into the killer’s history and interactions with relevant agencies, the hope is to prevent such devastating events from ever occurring again, sparing others from enduring the same lasting trauma

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