Taxi driver who took killer to murder scene drove away as girls screamed

MAN TOOK ANOTHER FARE AND DID NOT DIAL 999 FOR 50 MINUTES

- By PATRICK EDRICH & ELEANOR BARLOW

THE taxi driver who took killer Axel Rudakubana to the Southport attack has said he drove away despite seeing screaming children running “like a stampede for their lives” because he thought he heard gunshots.

Gary Poland, a driver for One Call Taxis, did not call emergency services until 50 minutes after hearing screams coming from the Hart Space studio last July, having picked up another fare and returned home first.

Giving evidence over video link to the Southport Inquiry at Liverpool Town Hall yesterday, Mr Poland said he threatened to call the police when Rudakubana did not pay his fare.

But he thought the killer had gone to get money when he went into the building where the dance class was being held.