Taxi driver who took Southport killer to dance studio regrets not calling police

The taxi driver who transported the British teen to the Southport dance studio where he killed three young girls admitted during an inquiry that he regretted not contacting the authorities sooner.

Gary Poland said he drove away from the dance centre in the northern town of in blind panic and regretted waiting 50 minutes until calling police, the BBC reports.

Axel Rudakubana, 19, was jailed earlier this year to at least 52 years for killing the girls and stabbing 10 others last July.

Taxi Driver Wishes He Had Alerted Police After Dropping Off Southport Murderer at Dance Studio
Law enforcement and other first responders stand near the scene of the stabbing attack on July 29, 2024 in Southport, England.(AP)

Poland also heard the victims screaming.

He said: “I did what I did because of fear, shock and panic. These are human emotions which I could not control.”

According to the inquiry’s counsel, the taxi’s dashcam recorded footage of the girls running beside the driver’s car, and captured Poland glancing at them through the rear view mirror.

In his statement to the inquiry, Poland said he had been unaware the children had been injured.

Under questioning, he admitted he should have stopped and called police as soon as he was out of harm’s way.

A transcript from a phone conversation Poland had with a friend, presented to the inquiry, revealed his concern about the attacker potentially having a firearm, but did not indicate any worry for the girls’ safety.

The inquiry was adjourned until next Monday.

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