In a heartfelt Instagram post, Taylor Swift expressed her shock and sorrow over the knife attack at a Southport dance workshop themed around her music, which left three children dead and nine others injured.
The attack occurred on Monday at an event on Hart Street, Southport. The pop star said she was at a “complete loss” for how to convey her sympathies.
Swift’s fans have since rallied together, raising over £100,000 for the families of the victims and the Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where many of the injured are being treated.
Swift’s Instagram Post
Swift, who performed in nearby Liverpool as part of her European tour in June, shared her grief on social media. The horror of yesterday’s attack in Southport is washing over me continuously, and I’m just completely in shock,” she wrote. The loss of life and innocence and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there the families, and first responders. These were just little kids at a dance class. I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families.”
Crowdfunding Efforts
A crowdfunding page, called “Swifties for Southport,” has raised over £102,000 for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital’s charity arm. The organizers of the Taylor Swift UK & EU Facebook group said the funds would support the affected families and provide funeral expenses for the two young victims.
We are working with the hospital to help raise money for the families affected by the tragedy in Southport,” the group said in a statement. Every donation will go to the hospital’s charity and help make a difference to those impacted in a time of great sadness.
Attack Details
The brutal knife attack left three girls dead: six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar. Five other children, aged between six and eleven, remain in critical condition, along with two critically injured adults.
A 17-year-old boy from Banks, Lancashire, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. Merseyside Police stated that the motivation behind the attack is unclear but confirmed it is not being treated as terror-related.
Community Response
Local residents have been visiting the scene to leave flowers, toys, and messages of condolence. One message in a ‘Thinking Of You’ card read, “thoughts and prayers” are with those affected, and another stated, “Fly high with angels, little ones.
Taylor Swift’s Continued Support
Swift’s message and the overwhelming response from her fans highlight the deep sense of community and support in the face of such a tragedy. The singer’s heartfelt post and the fundraising efforts serve as a testament to the power of unity and compassion during times of profound sorrow.
