Girl, seven, ‘fought like hell’ and shielded others, parents tell Southport inquiry

The inquiry will examine the failure of multiple institutions to prevent ‘one of the most egregious crimes in our country’s history’, its chair said. Photograph: Victoria Jones/Rex/Shutterstock

The parents of a seven-year-old girl who was stabbed 33 times in the Southport atrocity have described how their daughter “fought like hell” to escape after shielding other children from the attacker.

The girl suffered “catastrophic” injuries when she was set upon by Axel Rudakubana as she tried to protect another child at the Taylor Swift-themed dance class last year.