Gary Poland, the taxi driver who dropped Southport killer Axel Rudakubana at the dance studio where three girls were fatally stabbed, has been stripped of his licence after a 50-minute delay in calling 999. The incident took place on 29 July 2024 at Hart Space dance studio during a children’s Taylor Swift-themed holiday dance class. Despite hearing what he thought were gunshots and seeing children fleeing, Poland chose to pick up another fare and went home instead of immediately alerting emergency services. By the time he made the emergency call, nine-year-old Alice Da Silva Aguiar, six-year-old Bebe King, and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe had already been killed.
Taxi Licence Revoked
Sefton Council confirmed Gary Poland no longer holds a taxi driver licence following a review under their taxi licensing policy. The council’s handbook clearly instructs drivers to call 999 if they believe a child or young person is in immediate danger. Authorities determined Poland’s delay and inaction fell short of these standards.
Harrowing Inquiry Evidence
At the Southport Inquiry held in September 2025, dashcam footage revealed Poland’s phone call immediately after the incident. He described hearing shots and children screaming, saying: “I just dropped a lad off… he ran next door and I think he shot some people.” When told he was lucky not to be caught in the attack, Poland replied, “Lucky he didn’t shoot me, weren’t it?”
Drivers Regret And Defensive Panic
Poland admitted he panicked and fled, fearing for his own safety and believing Rudakubana was armed. Reflecting on his actions, he said, “I regret not helping the children… There isn’t a day that passes when I don’t think about that day and what ifs.” He acknowledged hearing the victims’ screams but said his terrified state left him unable to react appropriately.
Children’s Lives Lost
The tragic stabbing/" title="Stabbing" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">stabbing left three young girls dead during what should have been a joyful dance class holiday event. The inquiry spotlighted the crucial role emergency responses play during such violent outbreaks and held Poland accountable for his failure to act promptly.
