One of the victims killed in the Southport knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class has been named nine-year-old Alice Aguiar, as two adults and five children continue fighting for their lives.
Heartbroken relatives paid tribute to “Princess Alice” who became the third fatality after police revealed she had died from her injuries in hospital in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Two other girls, aged six and seven, were killed in the “ferocious” knife attack on Monday.
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Meanwhile, one of the hero dance teachers seriously wounded trying to protect the children from the knifeman was named locally as Leanne Lucas.
Well wishers have revealed they are praying for “beautiful” and “creative” Ms Lucas, 35, who is said to be one the one of two organisers in critical condition after the holiday workshop was ambushed by a knifeman .
Eight other children suffered stab wounds sustained during the onslaught and five of them remain in a critical condition.
Alice Aguiar, 9
The third victim of yesterday’s tragic knife attack in Southport has been named as nine-year-old Alice Aguiar.
Friends and family paid tribute to the young girl, who died in hospital in the early hours of Tuesday morning after sustaining injuries.
Portuguese officials confirmed she is a Portuguese national living in Southport and that her parents were originally from Madeira.
A woman believed to be her auntie, Carina Aguiar, paid tribute to Alice on Facebook. Sharing a local news article about her death, she said: “Princess Alice..... rest in peace..... fly so high... and look at daddy and mommy who mourn your tender absence so much.”
Portugal’s Secretary of State for Communities, José Cesário, told broadcasters in the country: “Unfortunately, she was a child, the daughter of Portuguese parents from Madeira. She was born on 15 October 2014, aged nine. She is, in fact, one of the victims of this sad crime. The family lived in Southport.
“The parents are in a state of shock, we will continue to provide the necessary support, we are in direct contact with the girl’s aunt. The priority is to provide the necessary moral support, then it will depend on the circumstances of this family and where they want to hold the funeral.”
Leanne Lucas, 35
Dance and yoga teacher Leanne Lucas was named locally as one of two adults said to be fighting for their lives after bravely trying to defend children from the knife attack.
She and a colleague are said to have helped shield up to 16 innocent children from the onslaught.
Sharing a picture of Leanne on Facebook, Sunshine Yoga wrote: “I’m absolutely devastated. Please please pray for Leanne.
“Leanne came on my training course in December. A beautiful young creative girl who was so passionate about helping children. I just can’t believe it. Please pray.”
Devastated locals told The Independent Ms Lucas is former primary school teacher. One woman who lay a floral tribute at the scene on Tuesday morning said she used to teach her granddaughter, before she left to pursue drama.
Speaking through tears, the resident, who did not wish to be named, told The Independent : “It’s just shocked the whole of Southport. It’s so sad.”
Two girls aged 6 and 7
Tributes have flooded in to two other children killed in the knife attack which was described as “like a horror movie” by onlookers.
The victims were girls aged six and seven years old, police said.
The tragedy unfolded at a fully-booked dance workshop on Hart Street, where youngsters aged six to 11 were taking part in summer holiday activities.
Horrified onlookers told how they heard children and parents screaming before 13 ambulances and dozens of police rushed to the scene.
Flowers and teddies have been left close to the police cordon in Hart Street as the community was left reeling by the attack.
Staff from Natterjacks Day Nursery laid flowers and a heart-shaped artwork, decorated with children’s handprints.
A message on the artwork said: “The brightest stars are now dancing with the angels in heaven.
“Shine bright little ones, we will never forget your smiles and laughter.”
People, including children, continued to arrive throughout the morning on Tuesday to lay tributes and some were in tears as they walked away.
One message in a “Thinking Of You” card said “thoughts and prayers” are with those affected and was signed “Love - Southport.”
Another said: “Fly high with angels little ones.”
Other tributes
Tributes have flooded in, with Taylor Swift herself saying she was “completely in shock” at news of the incident.
In a social media post, Swift wrote: “The horror of yesterday’s attack in Southport is washing over me continuously, and I’m just completely in shock. The loss of life and innocence, and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families, and first responders.
“These were just little kids at a dance class. I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper also laid flowers at the police cordon on Tuesday, alongside local MP Patrick Hurley and other officials.
Eyewitnesses said they heard children and parents screaming before 13 ambulances and dozens of police rushed to the scene.
Armed police detained a 17-year-old boy and seized a knife, with one eyewitness saying the incident was like “a scene from a horror movie”.
Merseyside Police confirmed that the incident is not currently being treated as terror-related, while the motive behind the stabbings remains unclear.
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