Southport Taxi Driver Recalls 'Accidental' Pickup of Suspect After Tragic Attack

In the heart-wrenching aftermath of the Southport stabbing that claimed young lives, a local taxi driver has opened up about an encounter that still haunts him. Gary Poland, who was working the night shift on July 29, 2024, described picking up Axel Rudakubana—the 17-year-old suspect in the attack—without realizing the gravity of the situation unfolding nearby.

Poland recounted hearing what sounded like 'four to five gunshots' echoing through the quiet streets as he navigated his cab. The sudden bursts of noise sent chills down his spine, prompting him to speed away from the area near Hart Space, where the tragedy had just begun. "Screaming children" and the frantic response of police cars painted a picture of pandemonium, but in the confusion, Poland didn't grasp the full horror.

Moments later, as he tried to shake off the unease, Poland 'accidentally' accepted a new passenger. It was Rudakubana, bloodied and fleeing the scene, who flagged him down. The driver, unaware of the teen's involvement, simply drove on, later remarking on the eerie silence in the cab. Reflecting on it now, Poland's voice cracks with regret: he believes he could have disarmed the suspect on the spot if he'd known Rudakubana was armed only with a knife, not a gun as the sounds initially suggested.

The Southport attack, which left three girls dead and others injured during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, shocked the nation and sparked widespread grief and unrest. Rudakubana, from Banks near Southport, was charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder. His trial continues to unfold, shedding light on a community forever scarred.

For Poland, the close call underscores the unpredictability of ordinary nights turning nightmarish. "If only I'd known," he told reporters, emphasizing the split-second decisions that define such moments. As investigations deepen, stories like his humanize the ripple effects of violence, reminding us of the everyday people caught in its shadow.

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