Merseyside Police have announced that a nine-year-old girl is the third victim to die in a horrific knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport yesterday (29 July).
They said in a statement: "Sadly we can confirm that a third child has passed away as a result of injuries sustained in a knife attack in Southport yesterday morning, Monday July 29.
“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.
“Our specialist family liaison officers are providing support to the families at this terrible time.
“Yesterday, officers arrested a 17-year-old male from Banks and he remains in police custody.”
A 'major incident' had been declared yesterday after multiple stabbings at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport.
Yesterday it had been confirmed that two of the children who had been stabbed had died, while a man arrested for the 'ferocious' attack was being questioned on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
Merseyside Police had said that officers were called to reports of a stabbing at 11.47am, arriving to find multiple children injured.
Following the arrest they made yesterday the police had said: "At this early stage, enquiries are ongoing to establish the motive for this tragic incident and we would urge people not to speculate while the investigation is ongoing.
"We can also confirm that the incident is not currently being treated as terror-related and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident."
Taylor Swift has also spoken out on the horrific attack which has claimed three young lives.
Writing on social media, she said: "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, the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families, the 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."
Armed response, 13 ambulances and the fire service all attended the site of the stabbings.
Police said it is understood that 'the offender armed with a knife walked into the premises and started to attack the children inside'.
Featured Image Credit: James Speakman/PA WireTopics: UK News
Joe Harker