Hero yoga teacher who tried to save children in Southport attack leaves hospital

Yoga teacher Leanne Lucas has been released from hospital after treatment for injuries sustained while protecting children in the Southport stabbing.

The 35-year-old was branded a hero for her actions during the attack on her Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29.

Police praised her for ‘bravely trying to protect the children who were being attacked’.

Three children – Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Bebe King, six – died in the stabbings, which injured eight other kids and two adults.

Lucas initially spent a week in hospital with serious injuries to her back, arms and neck before being discharged so she could start the ‘longest road to recovery’, her family said.

But difficulty breathing meant she was readmitted less than two weeks later so she could have surgery to drain her lung due to an infection.

She has now been released, according to friend Esther Shahroodi, who is running a GoFundMe campaign with more than £36,000 in donations on her behalf.

Posting in a local Southport Facebook group, Shahroodi said: ‘Leanne has been discharged following further surgery & is now recovering with family & friends around her.

‘Please continue to support Leanne by sharing her gofund me page far & wide & donating where possible.

‘We have had so many lovely messages wishing her well, so many gifts & hand made crafts. I want to say a huge thank you to everyone for showing such kindness during this impossible difficult time.’

Axel Rudakubana, now 18, has been charged with the murders of three girls at the dance class.

He is due to stand trial next year.

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