In a recent testimony during the Southport Inquiry, a girl who was viciously stabbed recounted feeling like she was dying as everything turned “quiet and fuzzy.” Her mother shared the harrowing experience of picking up her daughter from a dance party, only to find her covered in blood.
Describing the ordeal at Liverpool Town Hall, the mother recounted the moment her daughter revealed she had been stabbed, which initially seemed unreal until the reality of the situation sank in. The girl had been attacked twice, struggling to escape and seek help amid the chaos.
Referred to as child C5 to protect her identity, the girl lost a significant amount of blood and was rushed to Manchester Children’s Hospital, where she received life-saving treatment after losing nearly all her blood volume. The mother expressed the sheer terror of almost losing her child and the emotional toll it took on the family.
Reflecting on the tragic events of July 29 last year, where three girls lost their lives and numerous others were injured, the mother emphasized the profound impact on both her daughters, especially the eldest who continues to grapple with the trauma. She stressed the importance of safeguarding children and the need for reforms to prevent such atrocities from recurring.
Another parent, identified as the mother of child X, recounted the heart-stopping moment of searching for her daughter amidst the chaos, only to find her safe thanks to the heroic actions of another child. The mother expressed immense gratitude for the bravery that saved her daughter’s life, highlighting the critical role of quick thinking in dire situations.
The inquiry, scheduled to continue until November, aims to delve into the attacker’s background and interactions with authorities to identify any missed opportunities for intervention. Chair Sir Adrian Fulford labeled the attack as one of the nation’s worst crimes and stressed the inquiry’s role in instigating meaningful change rather than superficial fixes.