Hero teachers locked kids in toilet to save them from killer – as third child dies after horrific knife attack

Hero teachers locked kids in toilet to save them from killer – as third child dies after horrific knife attack

It comes as footage shows an individual pacing back and forth outside a nearby house before the attack

TWO hero teachers locked kids in a toilet to save them from a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed event.

Leanne Lucas and colleague Heidi, both 35, bravely protected dozens of kids after a knifeman attacked their summer camp in Southport.

Two girls - aged six and seven - died after being stabbed to death in the horror attack shortly before midday on Monday.
The third victim was named this afternoon as nine-year-old Alice Aguiar.
A further eight youngsters were stabbed in the attack, five of whom remain in a critical condition
Yoga instructor Leanne is understood to be one of two female adults also in a critical condition after "bravely trying to protect" the kids at Hart Space Studios

She is said to have led some of the youngsters to safety via a fire exit.
A school friend said: "To my knowledge she organised it, she used to be a primary school teacher at a local school.
"She was really, really lovely. I only knew her from high school. Quite quiet, she was a primary school teacher, she wanted to help people.
"That’s why you get into it, to do everything you can and that’s what she’s done."
Her colleague Heidi escaped uninjured after heroically locking some of the children inside a toilet to keep them safe.
A man said: "She was in the toilet, shut the door and locked it with one of the kids. The other got some kids to the fire exit

Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, of Merseyside Police, said those injured had all suffered stab wounds in the “ferocious attack”.
She added: "We believe that the adults who were injured were bravely trying to protect the children who were being attacked."

Leanne, who’s also a qualified primary school teacher, is the owner and founder of Enlighten - the company which organised the Taylor Swift-themed yoga dance and dance workshop.
Posting a photo 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."

She was excited about teaching at the centre that morning. She's a really gentle and kind soul, I am heartbroken to learn she is in hospital and am praying she recovers.
"Her parents will be beside themselves. She is one of the adults who has been stabbed."
An update from Merseyside Police today said: "Sadly we can confirm that third child has passed away as a result of injuries sustained in a knife attack in Southport yesterday morning.
"The nine-year-old girl died in hospital in the early hours of this morning, Tuesday, 30 July

We can confirm that the children who died yesterday were girls aged six and seven years.
"Eight other children suffered stab wounds sustained during the attack, and five of them are in a critical condition.
"Two adults are also in a critical condition after being injured during the incident