Hero gym coach threw himself onto knifeman to block him from children – as tributes pour in for 3 girls killed in attack
A PERSONAL trainer helped wrestle the Southport knifeman to the ground after hearing kids screaming as he cleaned windows nearby.
Joel Verite, 25, threw himself on the attacker to help cops restrain him after he began stabbing children at the summer dance club.
He was cleaning windows on a nearby building when he was alerted to the chaos by an injured woman who had run out pleading for help.
She told him: “Don’t worry about me, there’s a fella in there stabbing kids.”
The 6ft avid gym-goer then climbed down his ladder and immediately ran to the Hart Space Studio.
Joel helped police officers restrain the knifeman for a short time, before he was able to wrestle free and flee the area.
Police later arrested a 17-year-old boy on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
Meanwhile, Joel then began helping emergency services treating the injured children.
He was seen carrying the critically injured into waiting ambulances.
Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were stabbed to death when the knifeman launched the attack shortly before midday.
Police then confirmed a third child, a nine-year-old Portuguese girl called Alice Aguiar, died of her injuries in the early hours of Tuesday.
Eight other children suffered stab wounds, five of whom remain in a critical condition.
Two adults, including yoga teacher Leanne Lucas, are also in a critical condition after heroically trying to protect the children.
Joel, whose partner gave birth to their first daughter last year, escaped uninjured.
Chloe Skelton, co-owner of the nearby Level Up gym where Joel is a part-time PT, said: “Joel’s a big lad, everyone loves him, he has a second job and was working as a window cleaner when the attack happened.
“He heard the woman screaming and went straight into action. He helped a police officer wrestle a guy with a big knife to the ground, the officer and Joel tried to tackle him and got him down.
“Another police officer later came and they tried to Taser him.”
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, of Merseyside Police, said those injured had all suffered stab wounds in the “ferocious attack”.
What we know so far…
- Three children have died after being stabbed
- Eight other children were injured and five are in critical condition
- Two adults are also in critical condition after bravely trying to save the youngsters
- Two yoga teachers heroically helped save some of the kids from the attacker
- Armed police were called to the scene on Hart Street, Southport, at 11.50am
- A 17-year-old boy has been detained and a knife seized
- Chilling footage shows an individual pacing outside a house before the attack
- Patients have been taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby Hospital
- The attack is understood to have taken place at a Taylor Swift-themed event
- The singer has said she is in “complete shock”
The families of the three girls killed at the event today paid heartbreaking tribute.
In a statement, Bebe’s family said: “No words can describe the devastation that has hit our family as try to deal with the loss of our little girl Bebe.”
The family of Alice also paid tribute to their “princess”.
They said: “Keep smiling and dancing like you love to do our Princess, like we said before to you, you’re always our princess and no one would change that. Love from Your Hero Daddy and Mummy.”
Alice’s relative Carina, a hotel worker who lives in Madeira, Portugal, added: “
“In this moment of great pain my soul hurts, my body hurts, my mind hurts. I have a lump in my throat.
“You were just an innocent child, a happy smiley girl with a bright life ahead of you which a despicable human being took away from you, without pity, for no reason.
“Look after your mum and dad who are suffering, who are desolate and broken. Fly high our little star. I love you.”
It comes as a hero businessman who also tried to disarm the knifeman was stabbed in the leg.
Jonathan Hayes, 63, ran into the dance studio and tried to fend off the killer moments after hearing screams from his nearby office.
Jonathan’s wife Helen, 57, told The Telegraph: “He heard screams.
“Our office is in the same building as the dance studio, he heard screams and went outside, saw the attacker, saw that he had hurt a child and tried to take the knife off him and got stabbed in the leg.”
No words can describe the devastation that has hit our family as try to deal with the loss of our little girl Bebe.
Victim Bebe's family
She added: “I’ve been with him all afternoon at the hospital. He’s very upset that he wasn’t able to be more help. Physically he will be OK, mentally I don’t know.”
A 17-year-old boy from Banks, Lancashire, has been arrested on suspicion of murder, the force said.
The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is in custody accused of murder and attempted murder.
It comes after a masked man has been pictured outside a house that was later raided by police.
A video obtained by ITV shows an individual wearing a green hoodie and face mask pacing back and forth outside the front door.
The doorbell footage then shows several police cars and a group of officers, including some who are armed, appearing at the same house.
Southport summer camp attack timeline
Monday, July 29
10am
Taylor Swift-themed yoga and dance workshop begins at The Hart Space in Hart Street
11.47am
Police are called to reports of a stabbing and a major incident is declared
Emergency services later say the scene was “horrific” and “chaotic” as they arrived at the children’s club
5.25pm
Police say 17-year-old male was arrested, before later clarifying he had been detained on suspicion of murder and attempted murder
7.18pm
Police confirm two young children, aged six and seven, have died following the horror attack
Tuesday, July 30
8.30am
Police confirm the suspect remains in custody and continues to be questioned
10.30am
Taylor Swift posts tribute on Instagram, saying she is “completely in shock”
12.30pm
Police confirm a third child, a nine-year-old girl, has died in hospital
3.20pm
Cops named Bebe King, six, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, as victims of attack
Witnesses say the knifeman arrived at the dance studio in a taxi and got out without paying.
Police have said that, although the motive for the attack is unclear, it is not believed to be terror-related.
Meanwhile, flowers and teddies have been left by the police cordon today.
People, including children, continued to arrive throughout the morning to lay tributes and some were in tears as they walked away.
US singer Taylor Swift has also said she is “completely in shock” after the “horror” of the knife attack.
Fans of the popstar had raised more than £103,000 by Tuesday afternoon via their Swifties for Southport online fundraiser.
In a statement released on social media on Tuesday, she said: “The horror of yesterday’s attack in Southport is washing over me continuously, and I’m just completely in shock.
“The loss of life and innocence, and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families and the 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.”