‘How can I live knowing I survived when they died?’ – devastating words of Southport hero who shielded kids from killer
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A HERO dance teacher who shielded children from the Southport attacker has revealed her torment over surviving the rampage. Leanne Lucas had organised the Taylor Swift dance class where the massacre took place last July. The dance instructor was stabbed five times by Axel Rudakubana as he made his way through the Hart Space community centre slashing at adults and children.
![[Woman holding a small dog.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/www-instagram-com-learning-miss-949193906.jpg?strip=all&w=810)
Leanne managed to save two children and was rushed to hospital in a life-threatening condition. Tragically, Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, were all killed in the horror. In a heartbreaking statement at Rudakubana's sentencing hearing today, Leanne personally addressed the three innocent victims.
![[Handout photo of Elsie Dot Stancombe, a young girl who was murdered.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/handout-photo-elsie-dot-stancombe-965228106_444a1f.jpg?strip=all&w=768)
She told them: "For Alice, Elsie, Bebe, Heidi and the surviving girls, I'm surviving for you.". Leanne also revealed how "as a 36-year-old woman" she can longer stay at home alone, go to work or walk down the street without holding her breath in case someone attempts to stab her.
![[Young girl wearing a Wicked-themed shirt.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/handout-photo-bebe-king-axel-965228136_e08f78.jpg?strip=all&w=720)
She added: "As a 36-year-old woman I cannot give myself compassion or accept praise, as how can I live knowing I survived when children died.". Leanne told how how she is trying to "see the goodness in the world" but the "badness has been evidentially proven to me to exist, in plain sight, on our doorsteps, in our community".
![[Girl in white dress standing next to illuminated cross.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/handout-photo-alice-da-silva-965228142_b17e01.jpg?strip=all&w=723)
The dance instructor also said her mindset since the attack has been altered and she has "lost the ability to accept people now as they are". Leanne revealed she has lost her role as someone in the community who would help children and make a positive impact.
