Quick-thinking teacher locked kids in toilet as knifeman attacked Taylor Swift dance class

One of the teachers leading a Taylor Swift dance class targeted by a knifeman who killed three young girls in a stabbing rampage kept other children there safe by locking them in a toilet, it's been revealed. It came as police sadly confirmed a nine year-old girl died in hospital in the early hours of Tuesday.

Two other girls, aged six and seven, died from their injuries on Monday, with police confirming eight other children also suffered stab wounds during the attack. Five are said to be in critical condition.

Two other adults are also said to be fighting for their lives after the horror attack in Southport. One is believed to be Leanne Lucas, 36. Her co-teacher, Heidi Barlow, is thought to have received minor injuries. Ms Barlow is said to have successfully protected children attending the dance, yoga and games class by locking them in a toilet when the attack took place.

READ MORE: Southport stabbing LIVE updates as third child dies and police issue update on horror attack

Police are continuing to hold a 17 year-old boy arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, with the town in mourning. Police confirmed the adults were 'bravely trying to protect the children'.

A knifeman entered the Hart Space community centre on Hart Street in Southport on Monday morning and launched an attack in which multiple people were stabbed.

One resident of Hart Street said the two women had tried desperately to save the children. They told The Sun: "She was in the toilet, shut the door and locked it with one of the kids. The other got some kids to the fire exit." A source at the scene told the Mirror Ms Barlow was the one who hid the children in the toilet.

Together, the women are believed to have saved 16 people aged between