Driver regrets police call delay after Southport attack

The taxi driver who took Axel Rudakubana to the scene of the Southport attack did not call emergency services until 50 minutes after hearing screams at the Hart Space, having picked up another fare first.

- HARRIETTE BOUCHER

Driver Gary Poland, who picked up Rudakubana from his home in Banks, Lancashire, said he “regretted” not stopping to help the children that he saw fleeing from the building in his rearview mirror as he drove away.

He said he threatened to call the police on Rudakubana after he refused to pay for his ride. When Rudakubana went inside the building, where the Taylor Swift-themed dance class was being held, Mr Poland assumed he was going to get money.

At Liverpool Town Hall yesterday, Mr Poland said: “I regret not helping the children. Their screams were harrowing and I can still hear them when I think back to that day.