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A third child has died from their injuries following a “ferocious” knife attack at a Taylor Swift themed dance class in Southport, police have confirmed.
Detectives announced on Tuesday that a nine-year-old girl passed away in hospital in the early hours of the morning. The two other fatalities were girls aged six and seven years old, officers said.
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The tragic news comes as police continue to question a 17-year-old boy arrested in connection Monday’s attack.
Eight other children suffered stab wounds sustained during the onslaught and five of them remain in a critical condition.
Two hero class teachers are also fighting for their lives in hospital after bravely trying to defend youngsters from the attack.
A Merseyside Police spokesperson said: “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 29 July.
“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.”
Police also urged the public not to speculate about the incident after a name was wrongly circulated on social media.
“This name is incorrect and we would urge people not to speculate on details of the incident while the investigation is ongoing,” the spokesman added.
“This incident is not currently being treated as terror-related and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with it.”
More follows on this breaking news story….
