Southport stabbing major incident LIVE one dead as patients with stab wounds taken to children's hospital

A major incident is unfolding in Southport this afternoon with 'a number of casualties' and at least one dead after multiple stabbings.

A huge emergency response, including police, firefighters and paramedics, is on the scene on Hart Street, the Liverpool Echo reports. Merseyside Police said there had been a 'major incident'.

Officers were first scrambled to the scene at around 11.50am to reports of a stabbing at a property. A number of people including children have been left hurt.

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NWAS said at 1.50pm that eight people with stab injuries had been treated so far. They had been taken to various hospitals, including the Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

A spokesperson for NWAS said: "North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) is responding to a major incident following a call at 11:48am to Hart Street in Southport following reports of multiple stabbings. We have dispatched 13 ambulances along with specialised resources of our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), Air Ambulance and Merit Doctors to the scene.

"So far, NWAS has treated eight patients with stab injuries who have been taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby hospital."

A man has been detained and a knife has been seized. In a statement, Merseyside Police said: "We can confirm that emergency services are in Southport following a major incident this morning, Monday 29 July.

"At around 11.50am, we were called to a property on Hart Street to reports of a stabbing. There are a number of reported casualties and more details will be confirmed when possible.

"Armed police have detained a male and seized a knife. He has been taken to a