A press conference has just taken place in which Dave Kitchin, Head of Operations, has just read out the following statement:

“We would like to offer our sincere condolences to those families who have tragically lost loved ones today and the wider community. Our thoughts are with you.

“I can confirm that we were called to Hart Street in Southport just before lunchtime

today to an incident of reported multiple stabbings. We declared this as a major incident due to the number of casualties and types of injuries sustained. 

“A substantial number of ambulances and specialised resources were dispatched to the scene, including our Hazardous Area Response Team, air ambulance and merit doctors.

“Tragically, we can confirm that sadly two lives have been cut short. We treated 11 casualties on scene who were conveyed by emergency ambulance and helimed to Alder Hey and Royal Manchester Children’s hospitals, along with Aintree, Southport and Formby District General and Ormskirk General hospitals.

“I would like to thank our staff who worked incredibly hard caring for the victims, in what was a devastating scene.

“We would like to also thank our blue light and NHS colleagues for all their support during this incident. 

“Again, I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the loved ones of those affected. No doubt this incident will have a lasting impact on the whole community and our thoughts are very much with them at this difficult time.”