‘Selfless’ dance teacher locked children in toilet to save them from Southport knifeman and led others to safety – while friend says she is ‘devastated’ by horror attack and will never recover
A “selfless” dance teacher “locked children in the bathroom” and pulled others to safety during the fatal knife attack in Southport last month, it has emerged.
Heidi Liddle showed “incredible bravery” as she led children out of the building during the horrific attack on a Taylor Swift dance class at Hart Space at around 11:55 a.m. on July 29.
Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Bebe King, six, died in the attack, which left eight other girls and two adults injured. Merseyside Police said the other children injured in the attack have all since been discharged from hospital and are recovering at home.
Axel Rudakubana, 18, from Banks, Lancashire, has been charged with three counts of murder, ten counts of attempted murder and possession of a knife article.
Although Ms Liddle was “physically unharmed” in the attack, she is “completely devastated by what happened” and is struggling with “emotional and mental distress” that will “never go away”, a friend revealed in a crowdfunding campaign asking for support for the popular dance teacher.
To mark the occasion, Mrs Liddle paid tribute to her “long-time” pupil Alice at her funeral last week, describing the nine-year-old as “amazing”, “confident” and “always carried herself with poise and grace”.
It has emerged that dance teacher Heidi Liddle (pictured) locked children in the toilet and escorted others to safety during the fatal knife attack in Southport last month
On a verified GoFundMe page, her friend Amanda Reid has told how Ms Liddle’s “heroic” intervention during the deadly attack last month helped several children reach safety.
“She showed incredible bravery by escorting many children out of the building to safety and even locking children in the bathroom to protect them,” Ms Reid wrote.
“Even if she doesn’t agree, she is a hero. I know her thoughts are always with the children and families affected.”
Ms Reid, who described her friend as “beautiful” and “selfless”, appealed for support for Ms Liddle following the traumatic attack.
“Heidi is a very kind-hearted, compassionate, talented and selfless person, which is why she is such a fantastic teaching assistant and dance teacher. She is absolutely devastated by what happened and although she is physically unharmed, the emotional and mental toll of that day will never go away,” Ms Reid wrote.
“For this reason, she needs support so that she can take the time she needs to recover without the added pressure of financial burdens, including support from a specialist to aid her recovery, and thereby help support her young family.”
She said Ms Liddle had “inspired hundreds of children” as a part-time teaching assistant and “passionate” self-employed dance teacher.
Merseyside Police, photographed at the scene on July 29, said the other children injured in the attack have all since been discharged from hospital and are recovering at home
Alice da Silva Aguiar is pictured at the Taylor Swift dance workshop in Southport on July 29, 2024. She and two other girls were killed during the class
The coffin of Southport attack victim Alice da Silva Aguiar is carried on a carriage following her funeral at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Southport on August 11, 2024.
She also revealed that Ms Liddle was grateful for the supportive messages she had received since the attack.
In her appeal to raise funds for the dance teacher, Ms Reid added: “Any contribution, big or small, is greatly appreciated and will make a huge difference in helping her on the road to recovery.”
“Thank you for reading, for your kind words of support, your generosity and for keeping Heidi in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. Heidi’s family and friends.”
Mrs Liddle spoke at Alice’s funeral last week, paying tribute to the little girl “whose smile lit up every room she entered”.
The dance teacher said Alice was “always so happy and confident when she danced,” reported The Mirror. She said: “Alice was the most beautiful, kind-hearted child, with thick dark hair that bounced when she walked and was impossible to tie into a ballet bun no matter how hard Mum tried.”
Ms Liddle said she imagined Alice now “dancing, skipping among the clouds, singing merrily with the angels, and looking down on the crowds”.
Yoga teacher Leanne Lucas (pictured), one of the organizers of the Taylor Swift dance event, also bravely tried to protect the children from the knifeman, but was seriously injured in the attack.
Yoga teacher Leanne Lucas, one of the organizers of the Taylor Swift dance event, also bravely tried to protect the children from the knifeman, but was critically injured in the attack.
She was released from hospital and was recovering at home, but in an update on August 15, a friend said Leanne had been readmitted to hospital.
A GoFundMe campaign has also been set up to support Ms. Lucas.
Writing on behalf of the Lucas family on the fundraising page, Trisha and Esther said: “Leanne had only just begun her road to recovery. Please keep her in your thoughts and continue to support her as you have done so far by sharing the page and donating what you can. Thank you from the Lucas family.”
