In a tragic case that has gripped the nation, a taxi driver has expressed deep remorse for his actions following the horrific attack at a dance studio in Southport. The driver, identified as Mr. Poland, transported Axel Rudakubana, the perpetrator, to the scene of the crime on July 29, 2024, a day that will forever be etched in the memories of the victims' families and the community.

Mr. Poland has publicly apologized to the families of the victims, acknowledging the profound regret he feels for not contacting the police sooner after hearing the screams of the children fleeing the dance studio. His testimony and subsequent inquiry shed light on the agonizing moments leading up to and following the devastating attack.

The events of that day unfolded with chilling normalcy at first. Mr. Poland picked up Rudakubana from his home in Banks. The passenger, clad in a hoodie with the hood up and a face mask, remained silent throughout the journey to Hart Street. Upon arrival, Rudakubana exited the taxi without paying, prompting Mr. Poland to pursue him.

The pursuit led Mr. Poland down an alleyway to a vehicle bodyshop, where he confronted Rudakubana about the fare. The killer's response was dismissive and confrontational. "What are you going to do about it?" he challenged, leaving Mr. Poland with a sense of unease.

Returning to his taxi, Mr. Poland attempted to turn the vehicle around when the horrifying reality of the situation began to unfold. Children, their faces etched with terror, could be seen running alongside the taxi, their screams piercing the air. The sounds were captured on the taxi's rear dashcam, providing a chilling auditory record of the unfolding tragedy.

Despite witnessing the children's desperate flight, Mr. Poland made the fateful decision to drive away. He completed another fare before eventually returning home and contacting the police at 12:36 pm, a full 50 minutes after the attack had commenced. This delay, he now admits, is a source of constant anguish and regret.

The victims of this senseless act of violence were three young girls: Alice Da Silva Aguiar, nine years old; Bebe King, six years old; and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven years old. They were attending a Taylor Swift-themed dance class when Axel Rudakubana launched his assault, an act that would ultimately lead to his imprisonment for a minimum of 52 years.

In his statement to the inquiry, Mr. Poland expressed the immense weight of his regret. "On reflection, I do consider that I should have called the police earlier," he stated. "In hindsight, I wish I had done, and it is something that I think about every day—what I should have done, and how this is my fault because I drove him there."

The emotional toll of the event is evident in his words. "I regret not helping the children," he confessed. "Their screams were harrowing, and I can still hear them when I think back to that day. I regret not doing more. There isn't a day that passes when I don't think about that day and what ifs."

Mr. Poland described the chaotic scene as children ran "like a stampede for their lives," conveying the sheer terror and confusion that gripped the dance studio. He admitted to being in a state of "complete mortal terror and shock," which, he claims, influenced his decision to flee the scene.

His initial explanation for the delay in contacting the authorities was rooted in fear. He believed there was a "gunman shooting at people" and feared becoming a target himself. This fear, he argued, clouded his judgment and prevented him from acting decisively.

However, a recorded phone call between Mr. Poland and a friend who ran the bodyshop near the crime scene reveals a different perspective. In the call, Mr. Poland recounts dropping off the passenger and hearing screams and gunshots. While he expresses disbelief at what had happened, his tone appears to lack the "mortal terror and shock" he later described to the inquiry.

During the phone call, Mr. Poland remarks, "I've just dropped a lad off, I chased him down your thing. He ran next door, and I think he shot some people… Do you not hear screaming and shots go off? He's just f* shot everyone ain't he?" His friend responded, "Lucky you weren't in it," to which Mr. Poland added, "He shot up stairs, and I heard these f* shots, and I f shot off. Lucky he didn't shoot me, weren't it?"

Nicholas Moss KC, counsel to the inquiry, questioned Mr. Poland about the phone call, noting the apparent discrepancy between his demeanor in the recording and his later claims of being in a state of mortal terror. He also pointed out that Mr. Poland made no mention of the young girls or their welfare during the call, raising further questions about his priorities in the immediate aftermath of the attack.

Despite the questions surrounding his actions, Mr. Poland maintains that he is deeply remorseful and haunted by the events of that day. "I can't sleep at night," he testified. "I shut my eyes, I see his face, it's just there all the time in my head."

The inquiry also heard that Leanne Lucas, a yoga teacher, was the first person to call 999, approximately 27 seconds after the screams could be heard on Mr. Poland's dashcam. While Mr. Moss acknowledged that an earlier call from the taxi driver might not have significantly altered the arrival time of police and paramedics, the fact remains that valuable time was lost.

The case of Axel Rudakubana and the tragic deaths of Alice Da Silva Aguiar, Bebe King, and Elsie Dot Stancombe serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of violence. It also raises important questions about the responsibilities and obligations of individuals who find themselves in close proximity to unfolding tragedies.

The actions, or inaction, of Mr. Poland have become a focal point of the inquiry, highlighting the complex moral and ethical dilemmas that can arise in moments of crisis. While his initial instinct may have been to protect himself, the subsequent delay in reporting the incident has been met with criticism and scrutiny.

The inquiry continues to explore all aspects of the case, seeking to understand the sequence of events and identify any potential shortcomings in the response to the attack. The focus remains on providing closure and justice for the families of the victims and preventing similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

Axel Rudakubana was sentenced to a minimum of 52 years in prison in January of this year, bringing a measure of justice to the victims and their families. However, the pain and loss remain palpable, a constant reminder of the senseless violence that shattered their lives.

Mr. Poland's apology and expression of remorse, while perhaps offering some solace, cannot undo the events of that tragic day. His story serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the importance of acting decisively and responsibly in the face of danger and the enduring consequences of choices made in moments of crisis. The emotional scars of that day will likely remain with him for the rest of his life, a constant reminder of the what-ifs and the burden of regret.

As the inquiry draws to a close, the focus shifts to learning from the mistakes of the past and implementing measures to prevent similar tragedies from unfolding in the future. The community of Southport, and indeed the entire nation, mourns the loss of Alice, Bebe, and Elsie, vowing to honor their memory by creating a safer and more compassionate world for all children.