‘I should have called police earlier’: Taxi driver who dropped off Southport killer regrets waiting 50 minutes as 3 children died

A taxi driver who took the Southport attacker to the scene of the deadly stabbing has told a public inquiry he deeply regrets not calling police sooner. Gary Poland, who drove Axel Rudakubana to the Hart Space studio where three young girls were killed, waited 50 minutes before calling emergency services even though he heard screams and saw children running from the building.

The inquiry at Liverpool Town Hall heard shocking details about what happened on July 29, 2024, when Rudakubana killed Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. Eight other children and two adults were also hurt in the attack that lasted just 29 seconds after the attacker walked into the building.

According to BBC, speaking through a video link, Mr Poland said, “I should have called the police earlier. In hindsight I wish I had done and it’s something I think about every day.” The taxi driver said he drove away because he was in a panic and thought the loud bangs he heard were gunshots. His dashcam footage showed screaming children running next to his car as he left Hart Street.

Driver thought he heard gunshots and was scared for his own safety

Mr Poland, who works for One Call Taxis, picked up Rudakubana from his home in Banks, Lancashire, at 11:44 am. When the then 17-year-old would not pay his fare, the driver told him to pay or he would call police. But he thought Rudakubana had gone inside to get money.

Just 29 seconds after the attacker who has a bizarre connection to Doctor Who walked into the building, sounds of screaming could be heard. Mr Poland said he heard very loud screaming and saw “a mass huddle of children aged approximately six or seven” running “like a stampede for their lives.” But he still drove away, picked up another customer, and went home before finally calling 999 at 12:36 pm.

Detective Chief Inspector Jason Pye, the lead investigator, told the inquiry that while Mr Poland had no legal duty to help, he would have expected any responsible person to call police right away. But Mr Pye said that the delay in calling did not change the emergency response, because dance teacher Leanne Lucas had called 999 just 27 seconds after the screams started.

Mr Poland told the inquiry he now has depression and works fewer hours. He said the attacker’s face stays in his mind all the time. “I can’t sleep at night. I shut my eyes, I see his face. He is just there all the time in my head,” he said. Taylor Swift later met with survivors of the attack to show her support. The inquiry is still going on and should last until November.