Southport stabbings: Hero man 'stabbed in the leg' trying to save 'screaming' children

Two children were killed, six more are in intensive care and two adults were injured in yesterday's horrific attack in Southport.

By Ciaran McGrath, Senior News Reporter

08:30, Tue, Jul 30, 2024 | UPDATED: 09:22, Tue, Jul 30, 2024

Jonathan Hayes was stabbed in the leg while trying to help

Jonathan Hayes was stabbed in the leg while trying to help (Image: FACEBOOK / PA)

A brave local businessman was stabbed in the leg as he desperately tried to protect children from a knife-wielding attacker in Southport yesterday, it has been revealed.

Jonathan Hayes, 63, was injured after running into the dance studio to intervene, his wife Helen, 57, said.

She told The Daily Telegraph: "He heard screams.

"Our office is in the same building as the dance studio. He heard screams and went outside, saw the attacker, saw that he had hurt a child and tried to take the knife off him and got stabbed in the leg.

"The dance studio is tucked away down a little alley. You wouldn’t know that there was a children’s dance studio there just by walking past - you would have to have known it was there.

Southport

Police on the scene after yesterday's knife attack (Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)

"I’ve been with him all afternoon at the hospital.

"He’s very upset that he wasn’t able to be more help.

"Physically he will be OK. Mentally I don’t know.”

The attacker targeted a Taylor Swift-themed holiday dance class yesterday morning.

Jonathan Hayes

Jonathan Hayes is 'very upset' he couldn't do more, said his wife Helen (Image: LinkedIn)

Another witness yesterday described the scene as "like a horror movie".

A Cardiff-born 17-year-old is being held on suspicion of murder and attempted murder after the attack in at The Hart Pace in Hart Street, Merseyside Police said.

Further details of the victims, including age and gender, have not been given by police, who said they are not treating the incident as terror-related but added the motive "remains unclear".

Two children died, six more are in intensive care, and three more were injured along with two adults, Merseyside Police has said.

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Southport incident

Floral tributes near the scene in Hart Street, Southport, where two children died yesterday (Image: PA)

All the casualties are now being treated in hospitals, including children's hospitals in Liverpool and Manchester.

Sir Keir Starmer could visit the community reeling from the tragedy on Tuesday, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has suggested, along with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.

Asked whether the Prime Minister will be in the north-west seaside town, Rachel Reeves told Sky News: "I'm sure he will be and I know that the Home Secretary is already there."

Reacting to the attack, she said: "Beyond the worst nightmare of any parent what's unfolding in Southport.

Earlier we held a press conference following the incident that took place in Southport this morning.

Please watch to hear from Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, MFRS Chief Fire Officer Phil Garrigan and NWAS Cheshire and Merseyside Head of Service Dave Kitchin.

To read more,… pic.twitter.com/edfwk50BEs
— Merseyside Police (@MerseyPolice) July 29, 2024

"And my thoughts and prayers are with all of those families affected."

Flowers and teddies had been left by the police cordon on Hart Street this morning.

One message in a "Thinking Of You" card said "thoughts and prayers" were with those affected and was signed: "Love - Southport."

Another said: "Fly high with angels little ones."

A large police cordon remained in place at the scene.