Tragedy in Southport: A hero saves children in deadly knife attack
In the United Kingdom, there was a brutal attack. A 17-year-old from Rwanda assaulted a group of children and caretakers with a knife. Two children are dead, and six are in critical condition. The media are highlighting the incredible bravery of a 63-year-old man. Jonathan Hayes stood between the attacker and the children. This act may have prevented more casualties.
Southport is an exceptionally peaceful town in northwestern England. At the time of the attack, on Monday morning, 29 July, at 10:00 GMT, artistic and physical activities were taking place at the community centre for the youngest age groups ranging from 6 to 11 years old. The event was dedicated to Taylor Swift. There were 25 people in the building.
Two children died, nine were injured, and six were in critical condition. The teachers who attempted to protect their charges are in a similar condition. All sustained stab wounds. The injured are being treated in hospitals, including children's hospitals in Liverpool and Manchester.
The perpetrator arrived at the scene of the massacre by taxi, for which he did not pay. He was engaged in a phone call and appeared visibly agitated. He entered the building wearing a mask. Suddenly, terrified and bloodied children began to run out. According to police reports, this resulted from a knife attack on the facility.
He heard the scream. He entered the studio to protect the children
According to "The Sun," 63-year-old Jonathan Hayes ran into the studio after hearing screams from a nearby office. He tried to fend off the attacker. It is known that he was stabbed in the leg after stepping between the man with the knife and the children.
"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," Helen Hayes told "The Telegraph." "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 hero's wife said.
The attacker was finally apprehended. He is 17 years old and comes from a village near Southport. According to English media, he came to the country from Rwanda with his family 10 years ago. He was arrested on charges of murder and attempted murder.
